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For many of the Central African Republic's population of 4.83 million (2020), life is not what you would expect in the 21st Century with ongoing political instability dating back to the time of independence and violence in
the north of the country in particular forcing tens of thousands to flee from their homes and
villages to eke out a life living rough in the forests, fields and bush. Driven from their subsistence farming and a long way from
any modern health resources (the capital Bangui only has four hospitals and/or clinics and there are only 250 doctors for the entire Central African Republic population), life is
about daily survival, knowing that at any moment rebel groups and/or the Lord's
Resistance Army could attack, and kill, maim or rape.
Life expectancy is around 53.28 years (2019) with one in ten children dead before their fifth birthday (2019). The CAR also has one of the
world's poorest school enrolments and 37.4 % of the population are illiterate (2018).
Despite being rich
in resources such as diamonds, uranium, timber, gold and oil, 67% of the
population live on less than 60p a day and whilst GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa has
risen by 78% since 1985, its barely risen by 10% in the Central African Republic
leaving it as one of the six least developed countries in the world, and the only
one not to have made any progress in the last twenty years. Sanitation remains a serious problem with safe water only being available to 40% of the population and less than 30% have access to proper sanitation as of 2018 with the ongoing conflict being a major contributory factor in this lack of progress.
This, coupled with almost
non-existent health care services outside the capital city of Bangui, leaves many highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as schistosomiasis,
bacterial and protozoal diarrhoea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever. The conflict,
particularly in the north of the country, makes getting clean
water to those hiding out in the forests even more of a challenge
as as rebels groups attack villages, forcing their occupants into
the bush for safety. It is not uncommon for women and their
children, some as young as six, to have to walk two hours to fetch
water in bowls and then make the same journey back again.
Where there are wells with pumps, these often lay broken and spare parts are no longer available. The situation is often
compounded by lack of knowledge about hygiene with chickens and goats often
sharing bowls of water with humans and their waste draining back into the
available water supplies. Hygiene awareness programs are undertaken as water
supplies are made available, often just by fixing what is already there, and
efforts made to ensure the locals keep the repaired supplies safe.
It is estimated that
the number of displaced persons in the Central African Republic is currently 669,791 (2021) and these adults and children are at particular risk of
trafficking in a country already well known as a source, transit, and
destination for human trafficking particularly children who are sold for sexual
exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine,
market and restaurant labour. Other children from the Central African Republic
are sold abroad to Cameroon, Nigeria,
and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Roles are very traditional in
the Central African Republic with women being responsible for the household and
gathering of food whilst males fish and hunt and subsistence farm where they
haven't been driven from their land. Meals are prepared around staple foods such
as okra, cassava, rice, pumpkins, and plantains and, when available served with
fish or meat. In a society comprised of 35% indigenous beliefs, 25% Protestant, 25% Roman
Catholic and 15% Muslim, church plays an important role outside formal services
as they organise many activities and support groups for all age groups
including, of course, football.
Important dates include March 29th, the death of former president Boganda, May
1st Labour day and of course Republic day on 13th August to celebrate
independence from France. The Central African Republic is in 188th place out of
189 countries and territories in 2019 in terms of life expectancy, literacy, access to knowledge
and the living standards of a country leaving it far short of even sub-Saharan standards. The video
documentary (below) explores life for many of those living in the north of the Central
African Republic and the challenges they face to survive.
Life in CAR: Volunteer in Central African Republic
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Life in CAR: Children's Lives
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Life in CAR: Child Sponsor CAR
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Life in CAR: Central African Republic Profile
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