The ICRC, which arrived in the CAR in 1997, has boosted its presence and activities to provide assistance and protection to victims of the continuing armed violence which started at the end of 2005. In addition to its delegation in Bangui, the organization has three sub-delegations in Paoua, Kaga-Bandoro and Birao, in the north.

The ICRC visits people held in various places of detention and documents alleged incidents of abuse committed against civilians by bearers of weapons. It restores links between family members separated by the violence.

The organization distributes basic household items, food and seed to vulnerable people, notably civilians displaced by fighting, and provides training to enhance their capacity to produce crops and rear livestock. To improve access to water and sanitation, the ICRC drills and repairs wells, protects water points, builds latrines and familiarizes the population with basic hygiene.

The ICRC promotes international humanitarian law among various target groups, including the national authorities, bearers of weapons, civil society and community leaders. It supports the Central African Red Cross Society’s programmes for emergency preparedness, the restoration of family links and the promotion of humanitarian principles.

Personnel (2009): 131 staff, including 25 expatriates