Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is among the poorest countries in the world ranking 166th out of 174 countries as a least developed and food-deficit, low-income country. In the region, about sixty percent of the entire population live below the poverty line.

Due to the poverty within the Central African Republic, malnutrition is extremely common. Most all inhabitants, regardless of age, are affected by malnutrition and struggle to obtain adequate amounts of food, vitamins, and sanitary water. Due to the fact that twenty-eight percent of all children fewer than five years old do not receive adequate nourishment, three out of ten children die before they reach the age of five.

Though food may seem to be abundant in the region, armed bandits’ loot many of the agriculture fields and storehouses. This deprives the citizens from receiving the adequate supply of food and consequently continues the cycle of malnutrition throughout the region. The issue of food scarcity in the region is significant because it is an issue that can be solved to help improve the overall nutrition of the members of the Central African Republic.

Poverty is also an element embedded into the lives of those struggling to make a standard living. The members of the Central African Republic who need to work for a living, often find themselves in backbreaking jobs for little pay. Working adults struggle to earn one dollar a day and rarely have a stable or reliable source of income.

Within the Central African Republic, the issue human rights is very controversial. In the past, the country has experienced four coups, political upheaval, and economic crisis. Due to this turmoil, the human rights of region are strongly questioned for various reasons.

Today, torture and unlawful killing of unarmed citizens continues to be widely used by both opposition forces and government officials. Within the prisons of the Central African Republic, torture is a common practice, stimulating the fear of death in the minds of prisoners. Prisoners also face the fear of long periods of detention without charge or trial. This includes the fact that police are able to extend prisoner custody with no official limits. Furthermore, within these detention facilities and prisons, malnutrition is wide spread.

Discrimination against certain ethnicities is also an issue of human rights in the country. Often, people who share the same ethnicity as a leader of an armed opposition group will face threats of being targeted for crimes they did not commit.

Within the Central African Republic gender discrimination is widely practiced by both males and females. Polygamy, which many feel to be a discriminatory practice contrary to the dignity of women, is a natural way of life for many members. Furthermore, the mutilation of the female genitals, is a common practice that has not been stopped. In the area, women also suffer from the political corruption and turmoil. Women are subjects of rape, torture, and severe treatment by bandits, opposition forces, and other men. Less physically painful, is the discrimination women face regarding education. Women rarely find it easy to attend school because of the views of the community. For the most part, educated women are not valued and are unable to exercise normal political rights. This female discrimination has existed for such a long period of time consequently causing most women to accept their inferiority.

The Central African Republic is one of the many countries in the world greatly affected by the AIDS/HIV epidemic. Due to the epidemic, many children across the country are orphaned every year. To be more specific, 330,000 children are orphaned in the country due to AIDS/HIV and over 260,000 people currently live with AIDS. Also, the rate of children who acquire AIDS is growing at an alarming rate. Statistics regarding the unfortunate activities of the AIDs/HIV epidemic can go on and on. What is a central issue to the AIDs/HIV epidemic in the Central African Republic is the lack of adequate education regarding sexually transmitted diseases. Many of the inhabitants know little about AIDs and HIV and an even greater population does not have good access to protection against such diseases.

Another disease common in Africa is polio. Fortunately, the last time polio was reported was in the Central African Republic was in 2004. Since then, the country has been polio free.
A significant disease that continues to affect the region is malaria, a vectorborne disease. Another unfortunate disease is the respiratory disease meningococcal meningitis. Food and waterborne diseases are also common. These include bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever. Unfortunately, most of these diseases are caused by poor sanitation and very few vaccinations and with improvement in these areas many people can be helped.

The Central African Republic struggles with various environmental problems. One significant problem is water pollution, which causes many waterborne diseases. Due to the lack of water regulation, tap water is not safe to drink.

Another environmental problem in the area is the encroachment of the neighboring desert with results in the deforestation and soil erosion. The dry and unproductive land drastically hampers agricultural development. Also, flooding, and hot, dusty winds also cause significant environmental problems that negatively affect agricultural development.

Furthermore, the wildlife in the Central African Republic is mismanaged. Poaching and hunting is an extremely common practice that causes both extinction and endangerment. Many different species have been affected including elephants and black rhinoceros. Due to the fact that an estimated 85% of all elephants have been killed for ivory, hunting is banned. In addition to elephants and rhinoceros, two types of birds and eleven other mammal species are endangered in the region.

Education is a significant factor in preventing adequate development of the country. Net primary school enrollment for boys is only sixty-four percent and even lower for girls. Forty-five percent of all girls are enrolled in schools. Many of the schools during the various coups were ravaged causing a set back to the advancement of education for children. Moreover, parents of all children, primarily girls, do not value education. Education in the area is perceived as a wasteful investment for the family and the community.

Seventy percent of all children are enrolled in primary school. Though this percentage of children may seem to be adequate and significant the number of children who continue education to secondary school drastically drops. Only about fifteen percent of all children reach secondary school. Primary education lasts for only six years and secondary education lasts for another seven years.

Schools in the region are financed by two main sources. In government-financed schools, education is free. The second source of education is through religious groups that operate a few mission schools. These mission school comply with the guidelines of the region as established by the government. There are also three colleges. Two are agricultural colleges and the third is a national college of the performing and plastic arts.

Due to low levels of education, the male adult literacy rate is sixty-five percent and the female adult literacy rate is thirty-thirty. Though part of the population is able to read and write, most know little to nothing about the technology of our world. According to a UNICEF statistic, zero percent of the population use the Internet. It is more than evident that citizens are not taught basic technological skills.

ANTEC - Association Nouvelles Technologies Educatives en Centrafrique is a non profit Association. It was created in October 2004 by students from the University of Bangui to promote the use of ICT in education. Their mission is to assist schools and educational centers in the Central African Republic to acquire computer equipments, make sure of the proper use of this tools and to provide appropriate training, promote access to ICT for education and training, and create a partnership network to achieve common goals.

Africa Young People Aids Coalition (AFYOAC) - Afyoac was founded after a number of serious Internet exchanges among the leading African young HIV/Aids activists. The first idea to come up with the African young peoples Aids coalition was floated during the 11th International Aids Conference, Vancouver, Canada in 1996 where suitable African strategies for tackling stigmas against young people living with HIV/AIDS was found. The AFYOAC continues to research the cultural, social and historical differences between groups and nations in Africa and western stereotypical views of 'The African culture, Sexuality' and ' AIDS the African Epidemic. They strive to identify tools and resources in our struggles and areas requiring serious practical training.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (HRW) - Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. They stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice. HRW investigates and exposes human rights violations and hold abusers accountable. They challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all. Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly.

JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE - an international Catholic organization with a mission is to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 at the Vatican State as a foundation. JRS programmes are found in over 50 countries, providing assistance to refugees in refugee camps, to people displaced within their own country, to asylum seekers in cities and those held in detention. The main areas of work are in the field of Education, Advocacy, Emergency Assistance, Health and Nutrition, Income Generating Activities and Social Services.

OXFAM - Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 organizations working together with over 3,000 partners in more than 100 countries to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice. With many of the causes of poverty global in nature, the 13 affiliate members of Oxfam International believe they can achieve greater impact through their collective efforts. Oxfam International seeks increased worldwide public understanding that economic and social justice are crucial to sustainable development. We strive to be a global campaigning force promoting the awareness and motivation that comes with global citizenship while seeking to shift public opinion in order to make equity the same priority as economic growth.

UNHCR: Ghana hosts around 64,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Liberia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, and smaller numbers from Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazaville, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka and Rwanda. UNHCR Ghana works within the overall framework of promoting the rights of refugees and other people of concern to UNHCR. The Office conducts refugee status determination of individual refugees prior to adjudication by the Ghana Refugee Board which works under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior. While currently facilitating the voluntary repatriation for Liberian refugees and having instituted an emergency operation in response to the recent influx of Togolese refugees into Ghana, UNHCR also operates a third-country resettlement programs.

UNICEF - UNICEF is an organization that strives to aid child survival and development, contain children HIV/AIDs, create basic education and gender equality, and serve communities throughout the world. UNICEF provides funding, projects, and support to various countries including the Central African Republic.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) - The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on 7 April 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. WHO is governed by 193 Member States through the World Health Assembly. The Health Assembly is composed of representatives from WHO's Member States. The main tasks of the World Health Assembly are to approve the WHO programme and the budget for the following biennium and to decide major policy questions.

WORLD FOOD PROGRAM (WFP) - The WFP is an emergency response organization that provides fast food to those countries experiencing a state of emergency. It was first created in 1963 as an experimental program but due to its amazing impact, has continued operations into the present.

African Conservation Foundation - The African Conservation Foundation is dedicated to supporting and linking African conservation initiatives, groups and NGOs, with the aim to strengthen their capacity, build partnerships and promote effective communication and co-ordination of conservation efforts. The African Conservation volunteer opportunity allows those interested to join various projects such as the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, ECOFAC regional program, Bushmeat crisis task force, and others to help promote a better environment within the Central African Republic. The African Conservation also offers volunteer opportunities in other parts of Africa.

CARE - CARE tackles underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. CARE Corps Abroad offers a unique opportunity for select groups of CARE supporters to visit our life-changing projects in person. You'll learn more about CARE's work to empower women and fight global poverty while getting firsthand experience at community service with our partner Cross-Cultural Solutions.

Doctors Without Borders - Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care in more than 70 countries. Each year, MSF volunteer doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, administrators, and other medical and non-medical professionals depart on more than 3,800 aid missions. They work alongside more than 22,500 locally hired staff to provide medical care.

Global Vision - Global Vision International (GVI) was formed in 1998 to provide support and services to international charities, non-profits and governmental agencies, through volunteering opportunities and direct funding. GVI is guided by a unique commitment to its volunteers and to its partners. To the volunteer it offers a safe responsible travel experiences, exceptional training and career development opportunities, and facilitates the ability to make a real difference. To its partners it commits all research ownership rights and all work is undertaken fully under their direction, in conjunction with the local community. GVI is a non-political, non-religious organization, which through its alliance with over 150 project partners in over 30 countries, provides opportunities to volunteers to fill a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development. International partners include the South African National Parks Board, Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund, Jane Goodall Institute, Rainforest Concern and Kenyan Wildlife Service. In 2006, 78% of all volunteer contributions received were spent directly in field.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL - Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda.

PEACE CORPS - The Peace Corps traces its roots and mission to 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. From that inspiration grew an agency of the federal government devoted to world peace and friendship. Since that time, more than 187,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have been invited by 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. The Peace Corps strives to promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served and create a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

United Planet - A non-profit organization with a mission to unite the world and promote peace through enhancing cross-cultural understanding and friendship, United Planet (UP) has created the ultimate educational adventure — United Planet Quests. United Planet Quests are 1-52 week volunteer & learning journeys to over 50 exciting locations worldwide.

Volunteers for Peace: The Central African Republic - Founded in 1982, VFP is a non-profit membership organization. We do not have any political or religious agenda. We are partner to a large network of similar organizations worldwide. Our goal is to work toward a more peaceful world through the promotion of International Voluntary Service (IVS) projects, historically known as International Workcamps, and the exchange of volunteers. Through our international alliances, we work together to help communities meet local needs and some of the goals of the United Nation's Millennium Declaration. Our projects provide intercultural education through community service.