In December 2013, extreme violence rippled through Central African Republic (CAR), forcing hundreds of thousands of people to leave their homes and overwhelming the already weak state’s ability to respond. The violence caused huge rifts between communities. Ten months later, the country remains in the grip of a major humanitarian crisis affecting 2.5 million people in CAR itself (over half of the population), half of them children. Half a million people remain displaced within CAR, more than 400,000 have fled to neighbouring states.
Children, out of school, often displaced and traumatised by armed attacks or sexual violence, suffer from fear, grief and insecurity. Thousands have been recruited into armed groups, separated from their families, or seen their homes destroyed. There are hopes that the UN Peacekeeping Force MINUSCA, whose mandate began on September 15, will improve security, protect civilians, and begin healing the fractures caused by the violence. Its innovative mandate includes protecting human rights, strengthening civil society to find long-term solutions, and supporting government efforts to restore vital services.
The following photo gallery, by photojournalist Sylvain Cherkaoui and Save the Children, offers short insights into the current humanitarian and security situation, and the main issues affecting children and families
