Switzerland steps up support for victims of crisis in Central African Republic

BERN, Switzerland, December 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), Switzerland has allocated CHF 800,000 for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect internally displaced persons. This commitment is in addition to the support totalling CHF 2.7 million that Switzerland has already earmarked for 2013 for the emergency operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the World Food Programme (WFP), the UNHCR and Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

Violent acts multiplied in December 2013, causing the massive displacement of civilians. At present 639,000 people are internally displaced, while a further 69,000 have fled to neighbouring countries. In view of the extent of the recent deterioration in the humanitarian situation, Switzerland has allocated an additional CHF 800,000 for the UNHCR’s programme to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the CAR. The aim of this support is to protect particularly vulnerable IDPs, such as women and children, from the risks of violence and exploitation, and to improve their living conditions.

This commitment is in addition to the support totalling CHF 2.7 million that Switzerland has already committed for 2013 to the emergency operations of the ICRC, the WFP, the UNHCR and MSF.

In 2014 Switzerland intends to increase its support for humanitarian organisations active in the CAR. Switzerland will also support NGOs working in the areas of health and protection of civilians. Continued support for Radio Ndeke Luka, through the Swiss NGO “Fondation Hirondelle”, will help ensure that an independent media outlet is able to continue broadcasting even at the height of the crisis. A Swiss humanitarian detachment is closely monitoring the situation in the CAR through regular field missions.

The 2013-2016 Message on Swiss International Cooperation places the protection of civilians in armed conflicts at the heart of Swiss Humanitarian Aid’s priorities. The UNHCR is one of four beneficiaries of Swiss multilateral aid, amounting to CHF 30.5 million in 2013.