Featured Links
Activities 2008
Since late 2005, fighting between the government and various rebel groups has caused large-scale displacement of people in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Many villages have been looted or burned, forcing inhabitants to flee. Most people have sought refuge in the bush, or with host families in towns, often far from their former homes.
Despite another increase in international aid in 2008, much of the population continues to live exposed to the elements, in constant fear of a fresh attack and with no access to healthcare or clean water. People struggle to find food and are particularly vulnerable to malaria, respiratory infections, and diarrhoeal diseases.
Mother and child at MSF feeding centre in south-eastern Central African Republic. September 2009.
Photo by Jaume Codina
MSF has focused on providing medical assistance to populations affected by the conflict through a network of mobile clinics, hospitals, and health centres across the northwest in Kabo, Batangafo, Markounda, Paoua, Bocaranaga, Boguila, and in the northeastern areas of Birao and Gordil.
More than 385,000 outpatient consultations were conducted and more than 14,800 patients were hospitalised.
Patients are being treated for diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sleeping sickness, and malnutrition.
CAR also has a very high mother and child mortality rate. In response MSF projects provided 30,000 antenatal consultations and assisted at more than 5,000 deliveries during 2008.
Mental-health services were also provided to communities living with the threat of displacement and violence. MSF also supported health centres in remote areas through training, the donation of medical supplies, and by setting up referral systems for patients who needed to be hospitalised.
However, support to peripheral health centres has been restricted by the tense security situation, which often limits the teams' ability to move.
MSF has worked in the Central African Republic since 1997.