The first World Humanitarian Day was celebrated in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR) on 19 August with a ceremony and exhibition of humanitarian work attended by the Prime Minister of CAR and members of the government, the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) of the United Nations, diplomats and many members of the humanitarian community.

Six years ago, a truck-bomb exploded in Baghdad killing twenty-two people, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and one of the world’s great humanitarians, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Worldwide, more than 700 humanitarian workers have lost their lives in the past decade.

In CAR, a nurse working for an international NGO was shot and killed in 2007. SRSG Sahle-Work Zewde stated, “This year alone, humanitarian workers have been subjected to ambushes and armed robbery by bandits who threatened to execute them and left them stranded in the bush. They have been taken hostage by people who seek ransom, or who question their impartiality. But they are still here, and they deserve our praise and solidarity.” The occasion was marked by a minute of silence to remember the sacrifices which people all over the world have made to bring assistance to others.

Fragile progress

The Central African Republic is one of the world’s poorest countries, currently ranking second from bottom (178th of 179) on the Humanitarian Development Index. It has suffered from insecurity and violence across the north for half a decade, causing over 100,000 refugees to flee the country and a similar number to hide in the bush, too afraid to return home.

Since 2007, the international community has become increasingly aware of what was previously an all but forgotten conflict, causing humanitarian aid to increase from $10 million in 2005 to more than $100 million in 2008. It currently accounts for more than 30% of total overseas assistance to the country, and has proven particularly effective in targeting fragile zones across the north where development aid is slowest to arrive.

Resurgent crisis

Despite this, the situation remains precarious. Humanitarian funding to date in 2009 has fallen significantly. The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund contributed $2.8 million recently, recognising it as an underfunded emergency. Even so, over $40 million of humanitarian needs cited in the country’s Coordinated Aid Programme (CAP) remain unmet.

Although there have been some signs of improvement in the political situation during this year, with the government signing peace agreements with rebel groups and forming an inclusive government, new humanitarian crises are emerging.

• In the north-east, increasing ethnic tensions have caused a sharp rise in clashes between civilians, with people killed, houses burnt and many families abandoning their homes.
• In the isolated far south-east, 1000km from Bangui, fighters of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) are launching regular attacks on villages, causing new displacement both in CAR and in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• In the south-west, a previously prosperous area has seen massive decline in demand for wood and diamonds, causing widespread unemployment and sparking a health and nutrition crisis as workers are no longer able to feed their families.

Humanitarian response

Both the SRSG and the Prime Minister acknowledged these challenges. A task force led by UN agencies left today on a two week mission to Obo to distribute assistance and to evaluate humanitarian needs. Although the Humanitarian Air Service UNHAS remains constrained by lack of funding, they are exploring the feasibility of setting up regular flights to Obo from Bangui - by road the trip takes five days.

In the south-west, NGOs such as Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) and Action Contre la Faim (Action against Hunger) are already setting up emergency response programmes to cope with the rising incidence of malnutrition and disease.

Government commitment

The Prime Minister, Faustin-Archange Touadera, emphasised that the government and its ministries are working extensively in partnership with humanitarian agencies in all areas, but acknowledged that the country remains vulnerable. “We are grateful for the continued support of the humanitarian organisations working in the country, and of the donors who finance them. We share with them the reponsibility for helping people in need, and are committed to doing everything we can to facilitate their work and ensure trouble-free access.”

Humanitarian access to areas across the north has been increasingly difficult in 2009 due to bandit ambushes and continuing or newly-emerging small-scale rebellions. More worrying is that the impartiality and neutrality of aid workers has been called into question on several occasions, with suggestions that they are indirectly providing support for rebels or cooperating with government forces.

Crucial time

The government’s assurance of its commitment to humanitarian intervention comes at a crucial time for the country. Elections are planned for early next year. A programme to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate former rebel soldiers was officially launched last week. Overtures have been made to start negotiations with a remaining rebel group.

But the country remains vulnerable to crises over which it has little control - the global economic downturn, or ongoing instability in its neighbouring countries Sudan, Chad and DRC. It is difficult to predict whether the humanitarian crisis will get better or worse in 2010. With this uncertainty, a decline in humanitarian commitment to CAR at this time would be premature.

Exhibition

The day continued with an exhibition where UN humanitarian agencies, international and national humanitarian NGOs took the opportunity to explain to the invitees and to the general public about their work, how it is paid for and the challenges they face. With the country heavily dependent on aid, overcoming the lack of knowledge and understanding for humanitarian work is important to reassure people that money is well spent and contributing to their lives.

The SRSG concluded by saying, “Humanitarian workers have already shown an extraordinary commitment to this country, as they have all over the world. We are here today to express our profound appreciation and recognition of their courage and sacrifice, and our continued commitment to give them our full support.”