Additional $26m raised for Central African Republic crisis, but funding gaps remain

A wounded man is carried into a hospital in Bangui, 26 September 2015 AFP/Edouard Dropsy

Donor countries have pledged an additional 26 million dollars (23 million euros) at an event in New York for the Central African Republic, RFI learned on Friday. Violence in the CAR has claimed at least 41 lives and left 226 people injured since clashes erupted almost a week ago, according to the latest figures from the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The US government pledged an additional 15.5 million dollars, the UK 10.6 million dollars and Luxembourg 550,000 dollars to support the ongoing transition, elections and humanitarian assistance, according to figures provided by the UN Development Programme.

However, there remain significant funding gaps over the 18 months from January 2016 to June 2017. An additional 85 million dollars is required for a range of activities including disarmament, security sector reform, the creation of a special criminal court, elections and direct budgetary support for the government.

Recent violence in Bangui was sparked on Saturday by the killing of a Muslim taxi driver resulting in protests, reprisal attacks and armed conflict.

CAR interim president Catherine Samba-Panza has said recent events were an attempt by some elements to take power by force and reignite sectarian conflict.

In their latest assessment, OCHA said “fighting and the numerous roadblocks erected have worsened an already dire humanitarian situation”. OCHA added that “there are immediate needs for emergency shelter, health care and basic aid”.