CURRENTLY ON AIR ⇒
  • Ml Junaid Kharsany
    Thursday, 6:20 pm - 7:00 pm
    [ - ]

feedback@radioislam.org.za

logo


((( Listen Live )))))
Radio Islam Logo


Crisis and Hope: CAR children struggle amid Conflict, amid hope for change

[Photo: UNICEF-Bangui]

Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za
12 July 2024 | 11:45 CAT
2 min read

Children of the Central African Republic (CAR) are facing the highest levels of crisis and deprivation worldwide, according to UNICEF. Ten years of conflict have left all three million children in CAR at risk, with half lacking access to health services, only 37% attending school regularly, and nearly 40% suffering from chronic malnutrition.

UNICEF Representative Meritxell Relaño Arana remarked that the past decade has been tumultuous for children, marked by the escalation of conflict in 2013/2014. Many of the gains the country had achieved were lost during this period.

“With regards to the Education system, at least 25% of children are not going to school and have never been. There is still a need to provide schools, resources, teachers and materials,” she said.

Arana highlighted the inadequate number of health centres in the country, resulting in many children lacking access to healthcare.

Additionally, Arana mentioned that there are also instances of violence, particularly sexual violence against children, highlighting significant violations of their human rights.

According to Arana, due to numerous global crises in the past decade, the Central African Republic (CAR) has not received significant media attention, resulting in lower visibility and reduced donor support compared to other major crises.

Despite these dire circumstances, the government’s new National Development Plan offers an opportunity for positive change.

“The National Development Plan can be an opportunity for all donors and partners to gather around and support the country to establish basic social services,” she said.

Arana expressed hope, highlighting the country is currently in a phase of stability, with the government having regained control of the territory. Social services are beginning to be deployed, and there is a strong government commitment to invest in human capital and infrastructure to foster economic development.

“The humanitarian situation is there but we are moving towards developments,” she said.

LISTEN to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and UNICEF Representative to CAR, Meritxell Relaño Arana, here.

 

ADVERTISE HERE

Prime Spot!!!

Contact:
advertisingadmin@radioislam.co.za 

Related Articles

Decoder Reset for Radio Islam International Listeners

Decoder Reset for Radio Islam International Listeners

Radio Islam International listeners are advised that our service provider, Sentech, has completed a major upgrade to their satellite systems. This upgrade has resulted in a change to the symbol rate, which means that many decoders will need to be manually retuned to...

read more
Port of Gauteng

Port of Gauteng

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 07 October 2025 3-minute read The decline and deterioration in the inland transportation links in across South Africa over the last two decades has led to a “white paper” documenting new plans by NT55 Investments, a R50...

read more
Two years later: Remembering, reflecting, resisting

Two years later: Remembering, reflecting, resisting

8 October 2025 | 10:44 CAT 2-minute read Mapping Israel’s Decline As the world marks two years since the most recent outbreak of Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, global economic pressures on Israel have surged to levels that scholars, economists, and investment firms...

read more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

0 Comments