New WASH and nutrition programme in Batangafo, Central African Republic

Despite recent events in the humanitarian sector, we remain committed to deliver lifesaving disease control and healthcare, supporting communities in most need.

In Central African Republic, the MENTOR team knows no boundaries to continue delivering activities. In Batangafo they must use canoes to access health facilities located on the other side of the river, after the ferry that usually transports people and vehicles broke down.

Pictured are Nutrition Supervisor Ngodi-Yapalanga Firmin (middle) and Logistics Assistant Ouamreti Phileas (right) assessing the route to reach the health facilities with motorcycles, as part of a new programme that aims to reach almost 47,000 people and 10 health facilities.

The project is improving the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of malnutrition in young children through community relays, ensuring early detection and timely care. As previously reported in a BMC Medicine article*, malnutrition and displacement are a major problem in Central African Republic that needs urgent attention.

Cooking demonstrations and hygiene awareness activities will equip caregivers with essential skills to prepare nutritious meals and maintain safe hygiene practices, reducing the risk of disease.

To address critical sanitation gaps, new latrines with showers, a septic tank, and a cesspool are being constructed, while the installation of handwashing facilities will help promote hygiene and prevent the spread of infections.

Hygiene kits are also being distributed to caregivers of children with severe acute malnutrition, further supporting their recovery and health.

Supported by the Central African Humanitarian Fund, this programme is strengthening community resilience and helping improve health for people in vulnerable settings.

*Link to BMC Journal article 👉 https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03603-9#Bib1