Caritas Central African Republic

Caritas Central African Republic was established in 1960 and called Secours Catholique Centrafricain. It was named Caritas Central African Republic in 1991 with the merger of Secours Catholique Centrafricain and Animation Rurale (agricultural extension department) on 31 August that year.

Caritas Central African Republic operates in a country where insecurity is a constant factor and poverty widespread. Three decades of insecurity ended in 1993, but there was further unrest in 2002 and 2003, and more recently in 2012 with the seizure of power by Seleka’s coalition, which plunged the country into a state of insecurity and fear and continues to hamper its social and economic development. The people of the Central African Republic are among the poorest in the world.Given the disasters and internal strife that affect the country, support for people whose fundamental rights have been abused plays a central role in the activities of Caritas. Protection of children from forced recruitment by armed groups, rehabilitation and advocacy regarding sexual violence against women and vulnerable persons, as well as support and assistance to internally displaced people, keep Caritas teams constantly busy. Caritas operates via a Peace and Reconciliation Commission with a view to helping parties engaged in conflict to seek solutions for lasting peace.