Press Release: Central African Republic: EU trust fund starts delivering support to population

The EU launched on the 29 September 2014 the first three development projects from the EU multi-donor trust fund for the Central African Republic (CAR). The ' Bêkou ' fund (which means ' hope ' in Sango, the country’s main language) was created in July 2014 by the European Commission, with the support of France, Germany and the Netherlands. The projects will ensure better access to health for 760,000 people, create jobs and rehabilitate damaged infrastructure in the capital, Bangui, as well as empower women and work towards their economic inclusion.

The projects will help CAR address its challenges as it emerges from the current humanitarian, political and security crisis, linking humanitarian and development activities.

+ A health support project will help rebuild the country’s health services.

+ A second project will improve the economic and social conditions of disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the capital of Bangui.

+ The third programme will help women to overcome poverty and the impact of recent conflicts by strengthening their economic and social capacity.