Concern supporting people to lift themselves out of poverty in Central African Republic

Conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) has been ongoing since 2013. While the security situation has improved in many areas, violence against civilians and the effects of climate change continue to push people from their homes, with one in five people currently displaced. 

2.8 million people (of a total population of 5.6 million) have severe humanitarian needs, such as access to food, water, shelter and protection.

Concern, the Irish humanitarian organisation is working in two regions of CAR, Mobaye and Zangba, to support vulnerable people who have been forced to leave their own areas, and the communities hosting them, through improving food security, shelter and access to water, hygiene and sanitation services. 

“The communities we work with have been hit hard and continue to suffer from the harassment of armed groups, but they are eager and more than capable of improving their own lives. They need initial support, such as repaired water points, seeds and training in climate-smart agriculture to help them take that first step,” said Maud Biton, CAR Country Director with Concern.

“Strengthening people’s ability to correctly grow their own food, start their own businesses and have clean water and sanitation facilities has positive impacts not just on their lives, but on the wider community.” 

Through funding of €1.9 million from the European Union, a Concern programme is supporting people with food assistance during the lean season, when access to sufficient food is most difficult. It’s also helping people who have been displaced to build their own shelters and toilets using local building materials and cash support. Under the programme, water points are being built or rehabilitated, benefiting more than 6,000 people. 

Awaou Djibirilla, a member of the host community, is among those who have taken part in the programme. A widowed mother of six, she started braiding hair to earn money but struggled to make ends meet. Since taking part in the programme last year, she’s received food, cash and seeds, enabling her to grow carrots and tomatoes on a large common plot of land alongside other women from her village. It has allowed her and the other women to diversify their family’s diets and have access to food when they need it. 

“As a widow, I cannot provide for my children on my own. The project has had an impact on me and my children. I've learnt to work in the fields. I've also received cash, which has helped me to provide for my children,” said Awaou.

For Jean Pierre Kpoto, a farmer and fisherman, training in techniques such as planting and crop maintenance, harvesting, drying techniques and storage has helped improve his food production. He is a returnee to the area.

“For my part, my wife and I have already planned that, at harvest time, we will sell part of the harvest to pay for our first daughter's schooling, eat some of the food and then keep the rest to replant the following year," said Jean Pierre.

Tiyassi Joanette has faced additional challenges in CAR. Born with a physical disability, she has had to rely on her mother financially as she was unable to find work in a traditionally agricultural region. Tiyassi, who is a member of the host community, received food items and seeds from Concern, and she has now set up a small food business with the support of her sisters. Under the programme a shelter was also built for Tiyassi and her four children, and they received some bedding and cooking utensils, allowing them to move out of her mother’s home. 

Tiyassi says that her disability has caused barriers in her life but being part of this programme has led to new opportunities. "The shelter that Concern has built for me has enabled me to get out of my mother's house with my children. I feel more independent, because at my age, living with my parents is not easy. And I will continue to fight for a better way of life," said Tiyassi.

Concern has been working in CAR since 2014, working in emergency response, and development in areas such as water, sanitation and hygiene, community health and agriculture. 

For further information contact Eilis Staunton, Media Relations Officer, Concern Worldwide, at eilis.staunton@concern.net or +353 85 872 0720.