Improving basic needs for vulnerable populations in Vakaga Prefecture

The project “Improving Basic Needs for Vulnerable Populations through an Integrated WASH and Child Protection Intervention in Vakaga Prefecture, CAR” is set in a highly fragile humanitarian context in the Central African Republic. Vakaga Prefecture, particularly the areas around Birao, hosts a significant number of vulnerable populations displaced due to conflicts in neighboring Sudan and local tensions. These communities, living in precarious conditions, suffer from a severe lack of access to clean water, adequate sanitation facilities, and are exposed to various security risks, particularly for children.

Implemented by Triangle Génération Humanitaire (TGH) with financial support from the European Commission through the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the project aims to meet the basic needs of these communities by improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), while incorporating child protection initiatives.

The WASH activities include the rehabilitation of 10 water points to ensure sustainable access to safe and sufficient water. Additionally, hygiene promotion campaigns will be conducted to prevent waterborne diseases. The project also involves the construction of latrines to improve sanitation in the camps and reduce the risk of disease spread.

Simultaneously, the child protection component will focus on raising awareness within local communities and strengthening the skills of protection professionals. TGH will work to revitalize community child protection networks in Birao and surrounding areas. A psychosocial support program will be established for children and youth, including creative and recreational activities, as well as case management through dedicated child-friendly spaces (CFS). A mobile team will also operate in remote areas to extend the reach of protection actions.

The project adopts an integrated approach, emphasizing the sustainability and resilience of communities. In addition to addressing immediate needs, the project aims to strengthen local capacities by establishing partnerships with technical agencies. These partnerships will facilitate the transfer of skills and ensure the sustainable implementation of basic services. The protection dimension is also transversal, with specific measures aimed at preventing gender-based violence (GBV) and ensuring the safety of beneficiaries, especially women and children.

Regarding risk management, TGH and its partners will implement enhanced contextual monitoring to anticipate social tensions and logistical challenges, particularly during the rainy seasons, which may hinder access to sites. The flexibility of the project will allow activities to be adjusted based on the evolving situation on the ground, ensuring a quick and adapted response to the needs of the populations.

Although the project is planned for 18 months, its goal is to lay the foundations for lasting community resilience by strengthening essential infrastructure and promoting practices that will benefit the populations of Vakaga beyond the intervention period.