Population figures
Total country population
5,915,627
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
43,078
Asylum-seekers:
29,431
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
453,301
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
0
Country context
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, bordered by six countries: Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo. The country has been severely affected by a prolonged humanitarian crisis marked by socio-economic challenges, armed conflict, and mass displacement.
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a party to international and regional legal instruments relating to human rights and the protection of refugees amongst which are the 1951 Geneva Convention, the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees, and the 1969 OAU Convention governing the specific aspects of refugee problems in Africa. CAR enacted a refugee law on 28 December 2007 and issued a Decree on 6 January 2009 on the organization and functioning of the bodies responsible for implementing the national policy on refugees. Prima facie recognition has also been granted to Sudanese and Chadian refugees who fled their country because of the conflict.
...The 2007 national asylum incorporates the broad OAU refugee definition and essential protection elements, such as a non-refoulement provision, and outlines the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedure. The law grants refugees various rights under the same conditions as nationals, notably access to work.
CAR has not ratified the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which aims to prevent and reduce statelessness by providing clear guidelines for the determination of nationality. This limits the full implementation of measures to reduce statelessness in the country.
The protection environment in CAR is increasingly constrained. Recurrent crises have weakened the capacity of authorities and communities to protect vulnerable populations, including children and people with specific needs. Access to protection and services is further hampered by funding shortfalls and logistical challenges. Since the 2019 signing of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (APPR), local authorities have increased nationwide, which involved the government and 14 non state armed groups. However, many non-state armed groups have resumed fighting, leading to persistent conflict, insecurity, and a power vacuum in some localities.
CAR has signed several tripartite agreements with neighboring countries to facilitate the voluntary return of former refugees. Efforts have been made to ensure safe and dignified returns, although many areas remain unstable, hindering the full reintegration of returnees. The country's fragile security environment, coupled with logistical challenges, continues to hinder effective protection and service delivery for refugees and IDPs.
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