UNICEF: Emergency Response to the Protection Needs of Children Affected by Conflict in Ouham and Ouham-Pende Prefectures

This 12-month project ongoing since mid-April 2020 is a new and innovative form of collaboration between War Child and UNICEF in CAR. It was set up in response to the multiple conflict-related human rights violations which persist in Ouham and Ouham-Pendé prefectures and continue to gravely affect children; particularly the recruitment and use of children by various armed groups. In response to this issue War Child UK and UNICEF, working with other actors including national and international NGOs and national Government representatives, put in place and coordinates four “Emergency Teams" (two in Paoua and two in Bossangoa) with the aim of providing emergency assessments of and responses to the protection needs of conflict-affected children. These teams, when deployed in the field, monitor and report on grave violations committed against children and conduct protection analysis, and their findings are used for national advocacy. The project also includes support to community-based protection structures (RECOPE) and temporary foster families; the establishment of early warning mechanisms in communities; multisectoral support to SGBV survivors; support to and reunification of unaccompanied and separated children; and support to the reintegration of children released from armed groups.