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Estonia Helping to Improve the Situation of Displaced People in the Central African Republic

31.01.2014

Estonia is supporting the effort to alleviate the situation of internally displaced people suffering violence in the Central African Republic with 100 000 Euros.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said that the security, as well as humanitarian situation in the Central African Republic is complicated. “The religious violence that has erupted between various religious factions has resulted in hundreds of victims and close to a million internally displaced people,” noted Paet. “We must act decisively and quickly, in order to avoid a large-scale catastrophe,” he added.

Estonia is supporting the effort to alleviate the situation of internally displaced people in the Central African Republic with 50 000 Euros being sent through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 50 000 Euros via the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

By supporting the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Estonia is helping to improve the situation of internally displaced people and support their safe return. According to the International Organization for Migration (IMO), two thirds of the internally displaced people are prepared to return to their homes following the stabilisation of the security situation. The situation is currently critical in terms of shelter, drinking water and providing of the most basic medical services and education. The goal of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is to reach and help up to 400 000 internally displaced people and has increased cooperative teamwork with its partners  to that end. An additional goal is the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence in the most active areas of conflict as well as being prepared to deal with the possible aftermath.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has been on-site in the Central African Republic for many years and cooperated with the local Red Cross Society. Long-term experience in the region and a functioning network has allowed the organisation the best possible access to those who require help. Activities of the ICRC include providing first-aid for the wounded, mobile clinics for hospitalising the wounded, psychological and social support for victims and ensuring drinking water and food for those requiring aid. The ICRC also helps to unite family members, who have been separated due to the conflict (especially children and young people).

In addition, Estonia is also addressing acute catastrophes caused by natural disasters or human activity in the long term; so-called forgotten crises, and has supported the Central African Republic since 2012 through international humanitarian aid organisations to the effect of 180 000 Euros. Most recently, in December of 2013, the foreign ministry allocated 80 000 Euros to support the activities of UNICEF in helping to ensure the children of the Central African Republic have better access to education.


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