Access to health care
Preventing the risk of illness for the victims of conflict
In Paoua in the west of the country, the SDC is funding a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières which treats internally displaced persons who have fled the fighting. In addition to machete and bullet wounds, their precarious situation exposes them to diseases such as malaria. In this hospital, they receive appropriate treatment.
Protection of civilians
Prevention of and protection from conflicts
The SDC is supporting various emergency operations to assist the victims of the crisis. It supports several programmes to strengthen the protection of civilians which are run by its multilateral partners, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Food Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In the country’s north-east, the SDC is funding a Danish Refugee Council project aimed at strengthening social cohesion and reducing the risk of renewed hostilities and interreligious clashes.
In Bangui, the SDC is funding a project run by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action to raise awareness among the population about the risks associated with explosive remnants of war, such as grenades which are found all over the city and are sold freely in the city’s markets.
Support for the media
An independent radio station
Over the last several years, Switzerland has supported a local radio station, Ndeke Luka, through the Fondation Hirondelle. This independent radio station is one of the only media outlets in the country that broadcasts information even in periods of crisis.