Executive summary
Based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Federation's Central Africa Regional Representation (CARREP) covers the following eight countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Republic of Congo (RoC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. However, the DRC and Chad have country representations and thus separate plans. A joint plan has been prepared for Cameroon, CAR, RoC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe. Acting from its headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon, CARREP provides the financial and technical support required to enable the six national societies covered by this plan to improve the quality and efficiency of their humanitarian, social and community-based services in favour of vulnerable people and other people exposed to all sorts of hazards.
The Central African region has been afflicted for many years by epidemics, endemic diseases, natural and man-made disasters, and conflicts that often led to significant population displacements or created situations of vulnerability which affected underprivileged communities incapable of self-sustenance (women, children, old persons and rural communities in general). Recently, the increasingly high cost of living has added a further burden to Central African populations. In addition, the illegal immigration phenomenon has intensified in Central Africa over the past years due to the rapid deterioration of living conditions. In fact, people chased away by conflicts and disasters, especially from the Central African Republic, the DRC and Chad, are forced to displace themselves, and this has intensified population movements within the region, the main destinations being Cameroon, Gabon, and in some cases Equatorial Guinea. Moreover, many are those people who even go as far as embarking on a journey to Europe or USA where they hope to get a better life. This situation has continued to dismember entire families in an alarming way, and to reduce local manpower, thereby increasing the risks of various crises.
Since it is the mandate of the Red Cross to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable people, the Central Africa National Societies have decided to respond to these situations as their priority for the next two years (2010-2011). However, the National Societies lack sufficient capacity to assist all vulnerable people. They are planning to carry out activities in the areas of disaster management, health and care, organisational development and promotion of humanitarian values, which are all in line with the Federation's Global Agenda, and are inspired by the Johannesburg Commitment of African NS (Pan African Conference 2008), which aims to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations in Central Africa.
The target beneficiaries of this plan, estimated at about 2,500,000 vulnerable people, will include the six National Societies listed above, their volunteers and workers, and the communities of people made vulnerable by various diseases, disasters and other threats in all identified risk areas. The activities will be carried out both in rural and urban areas, and there will be no discrimination as far as age, gender and other personal considerations are concerned. Special attention will be focused on the most vulnerable people, including women, children and other people affected by all sorts of discrimination. Red Cross volunteers and workers will receive focused trainings which will contribute to improve their operational capacities. Through the smooth implementation of this plan, the Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo and Sao Tome and Principe National Societies will become well-prepared National Societies, and the living conditions of the vulnerable people targeted will be improved. Concretely, the operational and organizational capacities of the NS will be improved, disaster preparedness and response actions will be taken, solutions will be sought to the most serious health problems in Central Africa, and efforts will be made to restore the human dignity of vulnerable people. In order to achieve a better impact of Red Cross intervention, target beneficiaries will always participate in the design, implementation and monitoring of programmes.
The total 2010-2011 budget is CHF 7,500,253 (USD 7,242,422 or EUR 4,969,029)
