The UNICEF office in the Central African Republic has just published their monthly report for January 2009. It contains a detailed overview on the current humanitarian, political and security situation, and provides an update on UNICEF’s ongoing activities in CAR.

Here is the summary of activities and events in January:

• On 20 January the President of CAR appointed a new government following conclusions of the inclusive political dialogue in 2008.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a hearing to decide whether former Congolese Vice President, Jean-Pierre Bemba, should be tried for war crimes committed in CAR during 2002 and 2003.
• FACA and newly formed rebel group clashed in the prefecture of Bamingui Bangoran. Populations have fled to the bush and to neighboring Chad.
• Clashes between APRD and auto-defense groups led to some 1,000 people seeking refugee in Bocaranga.
• The UN Mission in Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) is scheduled to take over from European forces (EUFOR) currently operating in the two countries. Some 5,200 UN troops are expected to reinforce MINURCAT.
• The 2009 Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) for CAR was launched on 28 January. About $116 million is being sought for 105 projects in CAR.
• CAR takes the lead in a global campaign to highlight the issue of internal displacement.
• Two cases of yellow fever were registered in CAR during the month of January. An immunization campaign is planned.

Click here to download the report (PDF - 784KB)

For more information on UNICEF’s activities in the Central African Republic contact:

Marie Coutin | Communications Officer | UNICEF CAR
Email mcoutin@unicef.org | Tel. +236 75 58 96 01