State of Silent Crisis

Urgent action needs to take place now for mortality rates in Central African Republic (CAR) are skyrocketing through the roof.  Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), medical aid group, has come forth and called on donor governments and development agencies to come through with their commitments of foreign assistance, whether it be through funds or humanitarian acts.  As one of world's poorest countries, ranking 179 out of 187 countries in the 2011 UN Human Development Index, life expectancy in CAR is 48 (second lowest in the world).  Cause of most deaths?  Malnutrition and diseases, like malaria, HIV and Aids, that could have been prevented or treated if necessary resources were at their disposal.  Also, with the notorious workings of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), violence, rape, and abduction are contributing factors to the high death rates.  

Sure, health funding is allocated, but it appears that international donors are becoming less involved dropping from $39m in 2005 to $9.9m in 2009.  So, the issue at hand, accountability.  People need to start stepping up to the plate and be good on their commitments for their lives are ultimately in your hands.    

Sean Healey, MSF humanitarian affairs officer, said "The Central African Republican falls into the category of forgotten crises.  It is not receiving the humanitarian commitment that it should."

-Georisa Chang

SOURCE: The Guardian

Every Family in Central Africa Republic receives an anti-malaria mosquito net

Thousands of Americans joined in on the UN’s rally to protect Central African Republic (CAR) from malaria, the leading killer of children five and under. So today, Nothing But Net, Population Services International and UNICEF accomplished their goal of providing every family in CAR an anti malaria mosquito net. That is about 1 million nets within six months. In total Nothing But Nets, the grassroots campaign to prevent malaria in Africa has raised over $35 million dollars to go towards the 4 million nets distributed throughout Africa. Celebrities, such as Mandy Moore, are joining in on the campaign to help raise awareness and donations. Each net lasts up to three years and is able to protect a family of four during the night. The nets are an easy way to prevent a disease that kills a child every 45 seconds, and only cost $10 a piece.

-Teal Peterson

SOURCE: Population Service International

Central African Republic to allow humanitarian access for displaced people

On July 28th, the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) announced that it would allow humanitarian aid workers into its northern territories to help the 200,000 people who have been displaced by rebel fighting. Since December, the area had been deemed too insecure to allow for workers to operate there.

The CAR made this change in part due to UN pressure to see improvement in the humanitarian situation change for displaced people. Less than two weeks ago, UN expert on human rights for internally displaced persons (IDPs) Walter Kaelin issued a statement on his investigation on the situation in the CAR. He stressed that helping the displaced persons in the CAR and the disarmament and reintegration of the rebel forces was crucial for the establishment of peace in the region.

The CAR has been dealing with rebel attacks from various spillover groups from the Darfur region in Sudan. Recently, the Lord's Resistance Army- a rebel group that has been terrorizing the Uganda/Congo region since the 1980s- began attacking some villages in the southeast areas of the country. Current President Francois Boizize, in power since a 2003 military coup, has already postponed national elections twice this year because of the violence and lack of funding.

-Matthew Thwaites

SOURCES: "UN agency welcomes access to displaced in northern Central African Republic"-UN News, "Central African Republic: protection of displaced vital to peace, says UN expert"-UN News, "Rebel attacks could further delay CAR election"-Thompson Reuters Foundation