REX 03/634

BEA No.5/2003

BUDGET EXTENSION APPEAL

ICRC Geneva, 8 July 2003

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Budget Extension Appeal:
CHF 3,548,802 / USD 2,622,914 / EUR 2,282,188

Executive Summary

The government of Ange-Félix Patassé was overthrown on 15 March 2003. However, despite the
restoration of territorial integrity and apparent widespread support for the new authorities, many
endemic problems remain. The country has been a victim of over forty years of instability with
repeated mutinies and coup attempts that have worsened living conditions for the majority of its
population. It is ranked 165th on the UN Human Development scale.

The humanitarian consequences of the October 2002 coup d’état were not limited to the capital.
Many civilians living in the hinterland were directly affected by the subsequent occupation of the
central and northern parts of the country. Today the local population in these areas continues to
experience very serious humanitarian problems, including a lack of essential supplies; poor
access to basic health services and clean water; continued repression by armed elements; and
the separation of families.

During the recent crisis the ICRC maintained its presence in Central African Republic, increased
the number of staff and worked to provide a coherent response to the many different
humanitarian problems. With the end of Patassé's rule, the strengthening of the ICRC presence
and activities remains relevant during this transition phase when the country is particularly fragile.
Improved security conditions now means that the ICRC now has better access to people who
were seriously affected by the fighting.

The ICRC is focusing its attention on the medical (support to five hospitals and 20 operational
health structures) and water and sanitation sectors (rehabilitation of 8 water plants). Non-food
and food stocks (for 1,500 and 1,000 families respectively) will also be maintained to enable
response in the event of emergency situations. The launch of this Budget Extension is intended
to cover the increased costs brought about by the expansion of the operation (currently at 5
delegates and 22 local ICRC staff) and new activities that primarily involve:

• supporting the public structures that maintain vital services (water, health care and
electricity) that have been badly affected by the recent conflict;
• restoring family links and reuniting unaccompanied children with their families;
• maintaining emergency response capacities (food/non-food and medical stocks) for
possible future humanitarian emergencies;
• strengthening the emergency response and tracing capacities of certain branches of the
Central African Red Cross Society (prefectoral and sub-prefectoral levels) in zones
recently affected by the conflict; helping to reconstruct the headquarters of the National
Society that was damaged during the conflict.
ICRC REX - B.E.A No 5/2003 - Central African Republic 8 July 2003

The ICRC's activities in Central African Republic are covered by the Yaoundé regional
delegation (see map on page 8). The ICRC's initial budget for the Yaoundé regional
delegation, as presented in the ICRC Emergency Appeals 2003, stood at SFr. 4,198,720.
The present Budget Extension Appeal extends this initial budget by SFr. 3,548,802,
bringing the overall appeal for Yaoundé regional delegation 2003 to SFr. 7,747,522.

General situation

The Central African Republic has witnessed an unprecedented political crisis since the coup
attempt on 25 October 2002 and the fall of the Patassé administration on 15 March 2003. Since
taking power President Bozizé has suspended the Constitution, dissolved the National Assembly,
and dismissed the government. A transitional government has been set up, composed of
members of all political groupings in the country including the party of the former President. The
government will focus its efforts on restoring peace, security and national reconciliation, returning
the country to constitutional rule after a transition period currently estimated to last at least until
the end of 2004, reviving the economy, and reinstating the authority of the state by resuming the
regular payments of salaries.

Among the outstanding problems, security remains among one of the uppermost priorities. In the
north, northeast and centre of the country owing to the absence of state authority, armed
elements continue to carry out exactions against the civilian population. In the capital Bangui,
despite the presence of the 350-strong peacekeeping force of the Economic and Monetary
Community of Central Africa States, several security incidents continue to be reported. The list of
other challenges for the new regime is long. These include the restructuring of the armed and
security forces; the revival of social, health and education services devastated by years of
neglect; restoring social peace by paying the salaries of public workers; tackling the ongoing
looting of the countries natural resources; reducing the proliferation of small arms and dealing
with the prevalence of HIV/AIDS (60% of hospital beds are occupied by people who are
seropositive). All this with limited state funds.

The consequences of the October 2002 coup d’état were not limited to the capital. Large groups
of civilians living in the hinterland were directly affected by the subsequent occupation of the
central and northern parts of the country. The population in these conflict-affected areas
continues to experience very serious humanitarian problems. The lack of access to supplies from
the capital has deprived locals of essential items and the possibility to benefit from basic health
services whose infrastructure has been systematically looted. Water supply in these regions is
also often limited. The occupation of areas by the forces of General Bozizé, the fighting between
them and the loyalist forces, and the presence of active fronts near towns and villages exposed
civilians to repeated exactions (summary executions, rape, violence, theft, destruction of
property). Many people were forced to flee into the bush or further afield.

Humanitarian response
ICRC activities in Central African Republic

Following the attempted coup d’etat on 25 October 2002 up until the political change on 15
March 2003, the ICRC maintained its presence in Central African Republic, increased the
number of staff and worked to provide a coherent response to the many different humanitarian
problems. For reasons of security and difficulties of access the ICRC was forced to concentrate
its activities (protection, assistance and dissemination) around Bangui.

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With the fall of the Patassé regime, the strengthening of the ICRC presence and activities
remains relevant for a number of reasons. Firstly, the situation in the country remains extremely
fragile. Also through the improved security conditions in the northern regions the ICRC now has
access to those persons who were seriously affected by the fighting, systematic exactions and
looting.

After having completed a series of evaluations the ICRC has decided to focus its attention on the
medical (support to five hospitals and 20 operational health structures) and water and sanitation
sectors (rehabilitation of eight water plants, including that of Bangui). It will also maintain non-
food and food stocks (for 1,500 and 1,000 families respectively) to be able to respond in the
event of emergency situations. A family reunification programme for unaccompanied children is
being set up for children separated by their families who are now living in southern Chad. A small
structure will be opened in southern Chad and another in northern Central African Republic. This
programme will also enable the ICRC to gain a better understanding of the ongoing protection
issues in the region. In Bangui, protection and dissemination activities will continue as detailed in
the ICRC Emergency Appeals.

A significant increase in staff is planned (up to 5 delegates and 22 local staff) in order to ensure a
better coverage of conflict zones and reinforce the image and understanding of the work of the
ICRC among the most vulnerable persons by being present in towns that have been subject to
fighting and, if possible along the Chad border.

Most UN agencies are present in Bangui (UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF and FAO). The main
operational international organizations and NGOs include MSF-Spain (medical, sanitation and
protection activities), COOPI (support to health posts and hospitals) and OXFAM QUEBEC (seed
distributions).

Humanitarian issues and ICRC objectives

(Adjustments and additions to Emergency Appeals 2003, launched 10 Dec 2002)

Resident Population
Unlike previous conflicts, the consequences of the October 2002 coup d’état were not limited to
the capital. Large groups of civilians living in the hinterland were directly affected by the
subsequent occupation of the central and northern parts of the country.

Although the armed conflict was relatively short and low intensity, the population was exposed to
numerous exactions (hold-ups, rape and summary executions) and looting on both sides of the
front line. State services were badly hit, in particular hospitals, health centres, public
administration buildings, businesses and religious missions. Public servants and staff abandoned
their work places and the local population found refuge for several weeks in the bush, taking with
them their most essential items. Despite the long distances between their villages and temporary
refuges, these to-and-fro movements have not really stopped. Commerce and subsistence
trading slowly developed between the villages and those living in the bush.

In order for the health system in these regions to function properly again, qualified staff has to
return to their posts and the system needs to be supplied with medicines and basic equipment.

The supply of clean water is not guaranteed everywhere. The maintenance of water points
started to be neglected well before the conflict due to lack of funds. Where there are urban water
supply systems, the problems are most often linked to the proper functioning of the pumps. The
lack of adequate staff, fuel, electricity and spare parts all add to the problems.

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Displaced persons are currently returning from the bush. However, the return of those who fled
the hinterland to Bangui (including state employees and civil servants) is subject to the payment
of their salaries and the rebuilding of infrastructure on the spot.

Although new population displacements are unlikely, security remains problematic in the northern
border region. Attacks by armed elements are again increasing. Similarly sporadic incursions into
southern regions of the country from the DRC cannot be totally excluded. As a result an
emergency stock (food and non-food) has been pre-positioned in case of any eventuality.

Objective: Residents or persons temporarily displaced in conflict-affected areas have access to

essential goods and services (non-food items, water and healthcare) and benefit from the
protection of the relevant authorities.

• Protection: obtain firsthand information regarding IHL/Human Rights violations of civilians

and make regular representations to the relevant authorities
• Assistance: supply five hospitals and 20 operational health centres with medical materials
(i.e., beds, cleaning items, surgical materials etc) and medicines to improve basic health
care
• carry out small repairs (to locks, doors etc) to health structures to improve basic security
• support SODECA (water board) in the partial rehabilitation of the water supply network in
Bangui (870,000 beneficiaries) and provide technical expertise, spare parts and chemical
products to ensure the supply of clean water to hospitals, schools and the central prison
• support SODECA in the partial rehabilitation of the water supply networks in seven
smaller urban conflict-affected areas (Bossangoa, Bozoum, Bouar, Carnot, Berberati,
Bambari and N'délé) for some 270,000 beneficiaries; provide technical expertise, spare
parts and chemical products
• assist ENERCA (electricity board) and SODECA, by installing low tension electricity
cables to provide a second source of energy to the water supply networks in the seven
smaller urban areas mentioned above
• build up a non-food stock (blankets, soap, buckets, mosquito nets and kitchen sets) to
cover basic material needs for 1,500 families (7,500 persons)
• provide one-month food supplies (cereals, pulses, oil and salt) for 1,000 families (5,000
persons)

Separated persons
Some 40,000 people from Central African Republic who fled the conflict are currently living in
refugee camps in southern Chad along the Békay-Goré and Sido-Sarh axes. In April 2003,
during an ICRC tracing evaluation mission, 81 children from Central African Republic who had
been separated from their parents were registered. It is estimated that there are still
approximately 250 to 300 other unaccompanied children staying in the region who have yet to be
registered.

Objective: Unaccompanied Central African children staying in Chad who are separated by the
conflict are able to re-establish and/or maintain family links and eventually be reunited with their
families.

• ensure that unaccompanied Central African children in Chad separated by the conflict are
able to exchange Red Cross messages (in cooperation with the Central African Red
Cross Society) and can be repatriated and reunited with their families (in coordination with
UNHCR)

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Civil Society
Beyond Bangui the ICRC and its activities are largely unknown. Information and dissemination
sessions to the relevant authorities and the general public will help general understanding and
acceptability of ICRC activities and its presence.

Objective: The ICRC and its activities are better known among the general public and media.

• provide national, regional and international media organizations with current audio-visual
materials detailing ICRC field activities in Central African Republic and Chad

Cooperation with the Central African Red Cross Society

During the recent coup d’état the ICRC worked closely with the Central African Red Cross
Society (CARCS) in a number of emergency response activities in Bangui. Cooperation and
relations were extended to CARCS branches in the hinterland (Damara, Sibut, Mbaiki,
Mongoumba, Baoro and Bouar). During the worst of the looting in Bangui, the CARCS
headquarters was totally ransacked and destroyed.

Objective: The Central African Red Cross Society contributes to the proper functioning of the
Red Cross tracing network through improved coordination of its tracing support services. The
CARCS possesses a headquarters structure and local branches that are properly equipped and
able to respond efficiently in emergency situations.

• reestablish the operational capacities of the CARCS tracing department at its

headquarters. The coordinator has the technical capacity and support of the ICRC to train
ten tracing volunteers from five different branches
• increase the tracing capacities of five branches of the National Society through the
provision of logistical and technical support
• re-establish the operational emergency response capacities of ten branches. Support the
National Society to organize a decentralized refresher course in emergency response
techniques for ten branches and twenty volunteers; provide basic first-aid equipment for
those branches who have participated in the refresher course
• carry out repairs to the National Society headquarters to allow it to be operational

Other activities covered by the ICRC Yaoundé Regional Delegation

Apart from its activities in Central African Republic, the ICRC Yaoundé regional delegation
closely monitors the development of the internal armed conflict in Chad. In addition to its work on
behalf of detainees in Cameroon, Chad and Equatorial Guinea, the ICRC promotes IHL and its
implementation, and provides financial, technical and material support for National Societies
throughout he region. The ICRC has been working in the region since 1972. The Yaoundé
regional delegation was set up in 1992.

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Personnel

Personnel
In order to carry out the new activities in Central African Republic, ICRC personnel has been
increased to 5 delegates and 22 national staff.

ANNEX :
Budget Extension Appeal :

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC