Overview
Due to continued political unrest, roughly 200,000 people from northwest Central African Republic have been displaced- forced to abandon their homes and hide in fields and bushes- in order to survive under life-threatening conditions. The current situation was sparked by grievances between rebel factions and the government, but has been further exacerbated by increasing banditry and lawlessness. As a result some 56,000 Central Africans have fled to Chad and another 50,000 to Cameroon.

Current Humanitarian Situation
The Central African Republic has been plagued by poverty and ethnic and political conflict for over a decade, however, reoccurring violence in the north has only increased the burden of development. Schools, health centers, roads, bridges, and other infrastructures have been damaged, further hampering living conditions. Ongoing fighting has forced villagers to camp in isolated settlements, in fields and bushes, or congregate in city centers. The distinction between internally displaced and vulnerable people has been blurred and the lack of a national government strategy requires sustained involvement and support from the international community.

Civilian protection has also been hampered by political insecurity. As armed forces continue to retaliate against rebel factions, civilians have been caught in the middle. Beyond being displaced civilians have had their homes and villages burnt, are increasingly victimized by rape and banditry, and roaming herdsman struggle to avoid the kidnapping of their children and livestock as the level of lawlessness pervades. Because the government army continues to be underpaid and unresponsive, civilians are left unprotected with nowhere to turn.

Action Needed

• The US government should begin to shift the bulk of its aid budget from Food for Peace to providing NGOs with needed funds for recovery programs with returning displaced people and for the development of schools, clinics, water points and other infrastructure in areas affected by the conflict.
• Donor governments should demand that the CAR government stick to the schedule for security sector reform and fund it sufficiently so it can have a real impact. The US should get involved and finance infrastructures throughout the country in addition to training