Construir un futuro mejor
Alrededor de 2,3 millones de personas, aproximadamente la mitad de la población del país, todavía necesita de manera urgente asistencia humanitaria. Pero esta nación es rica en recursos naturales. Cuenta con una gran cantidad de recursos hídricos y tierras cultivables por lo que sus ciudadanos pueden reconstruir su vida y tener alimentos. La República Centroamericana podrá sacar adelante su economía si diversifica la industria extractiva y desarrolla su sector agrícola. Pero para ello necesitará el compromiso de la comunidad internacional, un compromiso que va más allá de los esfuerzos de estabilización y la ayuda humanitaria.
“Es necesario que nuestros agricultores puedan volver a sus tareas agrícolas”, dijo el presidente Touadéra en la entrevista. “Muchos ciudadanos fueron desplazados como consecuencia de la crisis. Las personas ya no pueden ir a los campos. Creo que un programa de desarme restablecerá la paz y permitirá que nuestros agricultores reanuden sus actividades [...] De hecho, el 80 % de nuestra población vive en el campo, donde la principal actividad es la agricultura. Por lo tanto, fomentar la agricultura significa ayudar al 80 % de la población”, agregó.
El Grupo Banco Mundial colabora con diversos asociados para garantizar que esta frágil estabilidad lograda con mucho esfuerzo sea duradera. “La organización de elecciones creíbles, el compromiso del Gobierno de aplicar importantes reformas y el fin de los conflictos han creado una ventana de oportunidad para romper la trampa de la fragilidad”, dijo Paul Noumba Um, director a cargo de las operaciones del Banco Mundial en la República Centroafricana, Malí, Níger, Chad y Guinea.
Recientemente, la institución aprobó un ambicioso programa por un monto de USD 250 millones para los próximos tres años a través de su mecanismo de respuesta de la Asociación Internacional de Fomento (AIF), que incluye 11 proyectos de estabilización y desarrollo. “Es cinco veces superior a la asignación periódica suministrada al país por la AIF y ha sido diseñado en estrecha colaboración con las autoridades y otros donantes”, señaló Jean-Christophe Carret, gerente del Grupo Banco Mundial a cargo de las operaciones en la República Centroafricana. “Nuestras tres prioridades principales son la gestión de las finanzas públicas, la reintegración tanto de los excombatientes como de la población desplazada, y la creación de empleo, a través de un extenso programa de reapertura de caminos y un programa agrícola”, dijo.
El Grupo Banco Mundial, además, lleva a cabo de manera conjunta con las Naciones Unidas y la Unión Europea una evaluación sobre la recuperación y la consolidación de la paz para definir las prioridades de corto y mediano plazo del país, así como realiza los preparativos de una Conferencia Internacional de Donantes para la RCA, (i) que tendrá lugar en Bruselas el 17 de noviembre de 2016. En la mencionada evaluación se establece que se necesitan de manera urgente USD 120 per cápita al año, lo que equivale a más del doble en comparación con la ayuda real proporcionada en 2012.
“Con nuestra ayuda, y una fuerte coordinación con otros asociados, la República Centroafricana puede convertirse en una historia de éxito de la reconstrucción posterior a un conflicto. Se necesitará un esfuerzo continuo para asegurar la paz y la estabilidad, pero vale la pena”, concluyó Paul Noumba Um.
Building a better future
About 2.3 million people, around half of the country’s population, are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. But the country is rich in natural resources. With plenty of water and arable land, these citizens can rebuild their lives and become food secure. By working to diversify the extractives industry and developing its agriculture sector, the CAR could drive its economy. But it will take commitment from the international community: commitment that goes beyond stabilization efforts and humanitarian aid.
“We must ensure that that our farmers get back to work,” said President Touadéra in his recent interview. “Many persons were displaced as a result of the crisis. The people can no longer go to the fields. A disarmament program will, I believe, restore peace and enable our farmers to resume their activities (…) In fact, 80% of our population lives in the countryside, where the main activity is agriculture. So, to promote agriculture means to help 80% of the population,” he added.
The World Bank Group is working with partners to ensure that this fragile and hard-won stability is lasting. “The organization of credible elections, the Government’s commitment to implement major reforms and the end of open conflicts have created a window of opportunity to break the fragility trap,” said Paul Noumba Um, the World Bank Country Director for the Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Chad and Guinea.
The World Bank has recently approved an ambitious USD 250 million program over the next three years through its IDA Turnaround facility, which includes 11 projects combining stabilization and development efforts. “It’s five times higher than the regular allocation provided to the country by the International Development Association (IDA) and has been designed in close collaboration with the authorities and other donors,” noted Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank Country manager for the Central African Republic. “Our top 3 priorities are public finances management, reintegration of both former combatants and displaced population as well as job creation, through a large road reopening and agriculture program,” he said.
In addition, the WB is co-leading, alongside the UN and the EU, a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPBA) — to define the country’s priorities over the short and medium term— and the preparation of an International Donor Conference for CAR which will take place in Brussels on November 17, 2016. The RPBA identifies urgent needs at USD 120 per capita per year, which equals more than doubling compared to actual aid provided in 2012.
According to Paul Noumba Um, “With our help, and strong coordination with other partners, the Central African Republic can become a post-conflict reconstruction success story. It will take continued effort to ensure peace and stability, but it is worth it.”
Building a better future
About 2.3 million people, around half of the country’s population, are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. But the country is rich in natural resources. With plenty of water and arable land, these citizens can rebuild their lives and become food secure. By working to diversify the extractives industry and developing its agriculture sector, the CAR could drive its economy. But it will take commitment from the international community: commitment that goes beyond stabilization efforts and humanitarian aid.
“We must ensure that that our farmers get back to work,” said President Touadéra in his recent interview. “Many persons were displaced as a result of the crisis. The people can no longer go to the fields. A disarmament program will, I believe, restore peace and enable our farmers to resume their activities (…) In fact, 80% of our population lives in the countryside, where the main activity is agriculture. So, to promote agriculture means to help 80% of the population,” he added.
The World Bank Group is working with partners to ensure that this fragile and hard-won stability is lasting. “The organization of credible elections, the Government’s commitment to implement major reforms and the end of open conflicts have created a window of opportunity to break the fragility trap,” said Paul Noumba Um, the World Bank Country Director for the Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Chad and Guinea.
The World Bank has recently approved an ambitious USD 250 million program over the next three years through its IDA Turnaround facility, which includes 11 projects combining stabilization and development efforts. “It’s five times higher than the regular allocation provided to the country by the International Development Association (IDA) and has been designed in close collaboration with the authorities and other donors,” noted Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank Country manager for the Central African Republic. “Our top 3 priorities are public finances management, reintegration of both former combatants and displaced population as well as job creation, through a large road reopening and agriculture program,” he said.
In addition, the WB is co-leading, alongside the UN and the EU, a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPBA) — to define the country’s priorities over the short and medium term— and the preparation of an International Donor Conference for CAR which will take place in Brussels on November 17, 2016. The RPBA identifies urgent needs at USD 120 per capita per year, which equals more than doubling compared to actual aid provided in 2012.
According to Paul Noumba Um, “With our help, and strong coordination with other partners, the Central African Republic can become a post-conflict reconstruction success story. It will take continued effort to ensure peace and stability, but it is worth it.”
Building a better future
About 2.3 million people, around half of the country’s population, are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. But the country is rich in natural resources. With plenty of water and arable land, these citizens can rebuild their lives and become food secure. By working to diversify the extractives industry and developing its agriculture sector, the CAR could drive its economy. But it will take commitment from the international community: commitment that goes beyond stabilization efforts and humanitarian aid.
“We must ensure that that our farmers get back to work,” said President Touadéra in his recent interview. “Many persons were displaced as a result of the crisis. The people can no longer go to the fields. A disarmament program will, I believe, restore peace and enable our farmers to resume their activities (…) In fact, 80% of our population lives in the countryside, where the main activity is agriculture. So, to promote agriculture means to help 80% of the population,” he added.
The World Bank Group is working with partners to ensure that this fragile and hard-won stability is lasting. “The organization of credible elections, the Government’s commitment to implement major reforms and the end of open conflicts have created a window of opportunity to break the fragility trap,” said Paul Noumba Um, the World Bank Country Director for the Central African Republic, Mali, Niger, Chad and Guinea.
The World Bank has recently approved an ambitious USD 250 million program over the next three years through its IDA Turnaround facility, which includes 11 projects combining stabilization and development efforts. “It’s five times higher than the regular allocation provided to the country by the International Development Association (IDA) and has been designed in close collaboration with the authorities and other donors,” noted Jean-Christophe Carret, the World Bank Country manager for the Central African Republic. “Our top 3 priorities are public finances management, reintegration of both former combatants and displaced population as well as job creation, through a large road reopening and agriculture program,” he said.
In addition, the WB is co-leading, alongside the UN and the EU, a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPBA) — to define the country’s priorities over the short and medium term— and the preparation of an International Donor Conference for CAR which will take place in Brussels on November 17, 2016. The RPBA identifies urgent needs at USD 120 per capita per year, which equals more than doubling compared to actual aid provided in 2012.
According to Paul Noumba Um, “With our help, and strong coordination with other partners, the Central African Republic can become a post-conflict reconstruction success story. It will take continued effort to ensure peace and stability, but it is worth it.”
