FY14 Q3 Quarterly Report: Stabilizing Vulnerable Communities in the Central African Republic through the Promotion of Interfaith Dialogue and Economic Cooperation

Key activities conducted during the reporting period include the recruitment and orientation of SVC staff, Interest Based Negotiation (IBN) training for program staff and partner representatives, and liaison with local authorities, religious leaders, and local civil society organizations. Mercy Corps also developed and shared rigorous selection criteria with communities and started selecting program participants, including 75 community leaders, 23 Intercommunity Peace Committees members, and 147 peer educators. The program has established 23 Inter-Community Peace Committees consisting of 136 community members, with 147 peer educators selected by these committees. A total of 75 community leaders were nominated as SVC program community leaders in Bangui and Bouar. The program team conducted a community baseline survey in Bangui, and the results are being compiled and analyzed. Security remains a significant issue throughout the country, with incidents of violence and civil unrest reported in Bangui and Bouar. The program has been interrupted for a week due to security concerns, and Mercy Corps staff have been unable to operate in certain locations. However, the program continues to monitor the security situation and operate according to its standard security operation procedures. In Bouar, the situation is calmer than the last reporting period, but anti-Balaka forces have reportedly attacked vehicles arriving from Cameroon. There has been an increased level of crime, including armed burglary, and some Mercy Corps staff have been victims. The government has attempted to implement a voluntary disarmament program, but with little success. Mercy Corps encourages program participants from areas with security concerns to travel to other locations where SVC activities are implemented. The program has coordinated its activities in Bangui with another Mercy Corps project funded by DFID, and has met with SFCG, the Network of Journalists for Human Rights, and Internews to assure media coverage of project activities. Mercy Corps has also met with several radio stations to discuss coverage of project activities and to prepare for the dissemination of peace messages. The SVC program has made significant progress towards its objective of strengthening the capacity of local communities to manage conflict and insecurity, and promoting attitudes of tolerance and non-violence. The program continues to operate in a challenging security context, but remains committed to its goal of stabilizing vulnerable communities in the Central African Republic.