The Danish government has vowed to send 25m kroner of aid to the Central African Republic (CAR) to support civilians having to endure a worsening civil war that began with a government coup in March.
The Denmark Development Agency revealed that an estimated 550,000 civilians have been displaced and about 450 killed as a result of fighting in the last week.
Development Minister Rasmus Helveg Petersen said the situation has now turned into a serious humanitarian crisis, and humanitarian aid is now needed to help the victims with protection, water, food, healthcare and medical treatment. Denmark will send the International Red Cross (ICRC) 10m kroner to help the victims by helping fund three health clinics and two hospitals.
In many areas of the country, houses, health clinics and schools have been burnt to the ground, while just 30 per cent of people can access clean water. There is also considerable pressure on health services, and there has been a huge rise in sexual violence.
This year the ICRC has invested 144m kroner in CAR, compared to 89m kroner in 2013.
The remaining 15m kroner that Denmark will donate is going to the UN’s CAR fund, which funds international organisations’ work in the country. With 1,600 troops deployed there, France plays the most active role. The French military is currently trying to protect civilians while disarming rebel groups.