Situation in Numbers
1.2 million
Children in need
(2017 Humanitarian Response Plan)
2.4 million
People in need
(2017 Humanitarian Response Plan)
600,250
Internally displaced persons
(UNHCR, 30 Sept 2017)
481,577
Refugees in neighbouring countries
(Chad, Cameroon, DRC, Congo)
(UNHCR, 30 Sept 2017)
UNICEF Appeal 2017 *
US$ 53.6 million**
Highlights
Due to increased violence, the number of IDPs has increased from 534,000 at the end of June to 600,250 at the end of September – a number that had not been registered since March 2014, right after the peak of the crisis.
Hotspots of insecurity resulting in continued displacement of children continued throughout the third quarter of 2017. The displacements were mainly along the south eastern border, the north western border and in the central area of the country. UNICEF prioritizes lifesaving interventions and risk reduction for crisis-affected, displaced and returning people in CAR
The school year started September 18, with children progressively returning to classrooms. However, schools remain closed in several areas of insecurity; UNICEF and partners have set up Temporary Learning Spaces in crisis affected areas.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
Hotspots of insecurity resulting in continued displacement of children continued throughout the third quarter of 2017.
The displacements were mainly along the south eastern border, the north western border and in the central area of the country resulting in a total of 600,250 IDPs - an increase of 49% since January 2017. The number of refugees has not significantly changed but remains stable at nearly half a million Central Africans living in surrounding countries.
A High-Level Ministerial Meeting on the CAR was held on the margins of the 72nd ordinary session of the UN General Assembly (19 Sept 2017) co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the UN, the President of CAR, and the President of the African Union Commission. The meeting was organized in partnership with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the European Union and the World Bank, and the members of the International Support Group as well as other key partners also participated. They highlighted that the violence observed in recent months has reached an unprecedented level since the height of the crisis in 2014 and the clashes between armed groups and violence against civilians and peacekeeping forces have affected humanitarian access and operations. Population movements have been taking place in very remote and inaccessible areas – many times without road access, due to purposely destroyed bridges by armed groups and the ongoing rainy season.
UNICEF continues to work with OCHA and the Civil Military Coordination unit to negotiate humanitarian access to carry out humanitarian assessment and response missions.