Central African Republic

Operational context

The signing of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (PAPR) on 6 February 2019, in Bangui, marked an important moment for the Central African Republic (CAR). The agreement, signed by the Government and 14 armed groups under the auspices of the African Union, was supported by the international community, including the United Nations. The strengthening of State authority continued within the country through the deployment of local administrative authorities. These efforts contributed to an improvement in the security situation in some parts of the country.
 
To support these efforts, the international community and the Government established a working group on durable solutions, with an objective of jointly implementing legal and socio-economic recovery as well as long-term development reintegration activities for IDPs and refugee returnees in conjunction with host communities.
 
Despite these efforts, insecurity persisted in some regions, causing new internal displacement in certain locations. Moreover, the flooding that occurred throughout the year rendered the population more vulnerable in these affected regions.

Population trends

At the end of 2019, some 669,900 people were registered as internally displaced. An increase of IDP returnees was noted in some prefectures such as Ouham-pende, Ouaka and Basse-Kotto despite the outbreak of the inter-community conflict in Birao in the Vakaga prefecture in September that caused new displacement. The number of refugees and asylum-seekers in the CAR also increased slightly in 2019 (by 6%) to almost 7,500 refugees and asylum-seekers at the end of 2019.
 
At the same time, some 46,500 refugees returned to the CAR, among which were over 12,400 facilitated returns. Thus, overall the population of concern reduced by some 13% to 814,500 by the end of 2019.

Achievements

• Three tripartite agreements were concluded for the voluntary return of refugees from Cameroon, the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Together with the PAPR, these agreements allowed for the gradual return of refugees
• UNHCR continued its emergency assistance for IDPs through the distribution of emergency shelter and non-food item kits in Bangui, Bambari and Bria. In addition, UNHCR ensured the coordination of the response and managed of over 50 IDP sites out of a total of 89. 
• Nearly 5,700 protection incidents were recorded, including more than 2,400 incidents of sexual and gender-based violence (of which 30% of survivors were assisted through psychosocial assistance, the distribution of dignity kits, the provision of income-generating activities and/or referrals).
• More than 7,000 refugees and asylum-seekers (including 1,800 South Sudanese refugees) benefitted from protection assistance.
• 22 educational facilities (classrooms, offices and latrines) were constructed, or improved and equipped.

Unmet needs

With the operation only funded at 47% in 2019, UNHCR experienced considerable challenges in meeting identified needs. For example:
 

• 90% of refugee returnees were not covered by shelter assistance.
• 80% of returnees were unable to recover their properties (house, land and other assets).
• 70% of sexual and gender-based violence survivors identified among IDP communities were not assisted, while in the CAR the assistance mechanisms for such incidents were nonexistent and health structures were poor.  
• 15% of needs for non-food items could not be met.

Working environment

The Central African Republic (CAR) continues to face a deteriorating security environment as a result of widespread violence and clashes between armed groups. Access to some remote areas remains challenging. The increase in human rights violations, reprisals targeting the civilian population and inter-ethnic violence have led to the highest displacement level since 2013. The number of IDPs increased by 60 per cent from 2016 to 2017, reaching 688,700. The south-east, central and north-western parts of the CAR remain under the control of armed groups and are the most affected regions. However, the situation is expected to improve during 2019 with a gradual restauration of the state authority and the implementation of the National Strategy for Recovery and Peace Consolidation (RCPCA). In addition, the south-west and other regions of the country are expected to remain stable. This may enable returns and reintegration activities.
 
The Government pursues its commitment to the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation and its road map to find a political solution through an inclusive dialogue with the armed groups and all segments of society. MINUSCA, the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and neighbouring countries continue to play their role to promote lasting peace, social cohesion and stability in the CAR.
 
In 2019, UNHCR will strengthen and diversify its partnerships to implement the multi-sector protection and assistance activities for IDPs, returnees and refugees. It will continue its direct collaboration with traditional actors and will also reach out to civil society, donors, development actors, private sectors and UN agencies. The Government will remain the first interlocutor for the implementation of the durable solutions strategy through the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and the Support Program for Resettlement and Reintegration (PARRET).
 

Key priorities

UNHCR intends to strengthen its coordination role of the Protection, Shelter and Camp Coordination and Camp Management Clusters and the coordination with countries hosting Central African refugees to further unite key actors around the humanitarian response and identification of durable solutions. In particular, collaboration with MINUSCA and local authorities will be enhanced for securing IDP sites and villages/city districts to promote sustainable voluntary return and reintegration. Therefore, sustainable solutions will require resources and capacity to:
 

• Strengthen collaboration with the Central African authorities and the international community to address the lack of access to basic social services and infrastructures and housing, land and property issues to make returns and reintegration comprehensive and sustainable for IDPs, returnees and refugees;
• Enhance the complementarity synergy that includes humanitarian and development actors, private sectors, the whole-of society and the whole-of-politic actors;
• Implement the emergency response and the durable solutions simultaneously: clashes and violence driving new displacements may continue in some locations when on the other side the returns occur.