en
en
Bitcoin
65,614
Bitcoin
$ 70,772
Bitcoin
65,614

Bekou Fund and EU reach out to the Central African Republic

The European Union and the states contributing to the Bêkou Fund – Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland – adopted in April three new programs for resilience and recovery in the Central African Republic in 30 million euros (19.7 billion FCFA). These additional funds will make it possible to launch new phases of the rural development, reconciliation and gender programs already under way. These new actions bring the Bekou Fund’s overall commitment to CAR to 274 million euros (FCFA 180.4 billion).

€ 18 million is earmarked for the second phase of the rural development program. Support almost 1 million smallholders in order to increase their sustainable production and access to markets, inject more than 3 million euros into the local economy through local purchases, vaccinate more than 2 million animals, reducing tensions and insecurity linked to transhumance, strengthening the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock through technical assistance: the program has been as successful since its launch in 2017. With this new phase, to support the establishment of “agropoles”, service centers intended to support the development of agricultural and / or livestock activities. The project proposed by the Belgian development agency Enabel plans, around these agropoles, to rehabilitate training centers, develop clean energy sources and boost the supply of financial (microfinance) and non-financial services.

Following the decision of the Bekou Management Committee, the reconciliation program will continue, in particular through support for the Central African media and particularly community radio stations, which occupy most of the media landscape in CAR. Their role is essential to allow the exchange of opinions, objective information, connecting communities and promoting dialogue and strengthening social cohesion. New to this second phase, an emphasis will be placed on youth through support for youth centers. The young Central Africans, who represent 70% of the population, are essential actors for lasting reconciliation.

The Bêkou Fund continues its commitment in the area of ​​gender through the fight against gender-based violence (GBV). With the third phase of the gender program, support for public and community reception or listening centers will be continued. GBV victims will be referred to the health services and taken care of legally. An important part of the new program with 7 million euros will focus on the socio-economic empowerment of victims. In order to prevent further violence but also to eliminate the stigma of victims of GBV, community mobilization work will be carried out to raise awareness. Finally, true to its mandate to support resilience at all levels and strengthen institutions in their mission, the Bêkou Fund will continue to support the Ministry for the Advancement of Women, the Family and the Protection of Children.

For Francesca Di Mauro, Head of Unit at the Directorate General for Development and International Cooperation and Manager of the Bêkou Fund, the adoption of these new programs is part of the European Union’s long-term commitment in CAR : “These three programs will directly contribute to the realization of the National Peace Recovery and Consolidation Plan 2017-2023. We are proud to continue our commitment alongside all categories of the Central African population and in favor of the country’s recovery. The support of the Bêkou Fund is in addition to that of the other programs supported by the European Union through its other instruments. ” For the European Union Ambassador to CAR, Samuela Isopi, “The Bekou Fund confirms its relevance in the Central African context in connection with the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation signed in Bangui on February 6, 2019 ”.

“The Bekou Fund has enabled us to bring concrete dividends from this peace to our people. Thanks to its flexibility and its capacity, adapted answers are brought to our needs “declared the Minister of Economy, Planning and Cooperation, Felix Moloua. “On behalf of the President of the Republic, Head of State, I thank the European Union and the contributing States for this new funding which targets key sectors and players for the recovery of our country, in this period of fight against the pandemic to convid19 ″.