Photo Credit: UNICEF CAR Le Du

Central Africa Republic (CAR) has just begun phase two of its measles SIA targeting 1.9 million children aged 6 months to 10 years. CAR remains a Level Two emergency situation as a result of a complex emergency crisis that has led to the collapse of basic social services including healthcare.

Only half of children less than a year old have been vaccinated against measles since 2013 with recurring outbreaks in all CAR regions. One-third of health facilities have been partially or totally destroyed with approximately half of remaining facilities still capable of providing immunization services.

Phase one of the campaign occurred May 18 – 22 in eastern and northern regions, with the second phase from June 14 – 18 targeting regions in central and western CAR. Deworming medication and vitamin A supplementation was also provided throughout the campaign. More than 1,800 immunization teams have been deployed already.

Funding from the Measles & Rubella Partnership provided vital technical assistance and procurement of measles vaccine. Funding was also provided by the United States Fund for UNICEF. Implementing partners include the CAR Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, ACF, HCR, Centre de Dialogue Humanitaire, PU-AMI, CAR Red Cross, MSF, IMC, MIUSCA, Ugandan Army, CORDAID and Save the Children amongst others.

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