SECOND QUARTERLY REPORT FOR USG FY 2011

The program was implemented by Mercy Corps, with funding from USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), and aimed to provide protection and socio-economic interventions to vulnerable populations affected by the Séléka takeover. The Ouaka Prefecture has been particularly affected by the conflict, with widespread insecurity and human rights abuses reported since December 2012. The region is one of the most vulnerable prefectures in terms of food insecurity, and over 30% of those displaced by the conflict reside there. Many individuals struggle to rebuild their livelihoods and cope with the psychosocial effects of having experienced or witnessed violence. The RECOVER program was designed to address the urgent needs of those affected by the Séléka takeover through protection and socio-economic interventions. The program's expected results include providing protection services to 15,000 vulnerable people, including 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), restoring assets for 2,250 vulnerable people, including 100 IDPs, and improving livelihoods and income generation opportunities for 900 vulnerable people, including 100 IDPs. Despite the best efforts of the project team, only limited activities were implemented during the reporting period due to the security environment in target areas. A rapid assessment was undertaken to identify current needs in the population, and details on achievements and constraints are provided by sector and subsector. The security situation in the Ouaka province has deteriorated significantly, with the ongoing rivalry between Ex-Seleka factions and Anti-Balaka militias leading to an unprecedented displacement of the population of Bambari and its surroundings. The quarter saw the reinforcement of Ex-Seleka contingents, which increased tensions amongst the population and led to three major clashes, including two between Ex-Seleka and Anti-Balaka forces, and one internal to Ex-Seleka. On October 1st, a group of "uncontrolled" youth and Ex-Seleka fighters attacked and looted Mercy Corps premises in Bambari, creating a high level of trauma for staff and forcing the halt of all project operations. An assessment of the situation is ongoing to determine whether the situation is suitable to resume project activities and reopen the office. The RECOVER program has made some progress in implementing activities, including the training of play therapy mentors, the review of play therapy clubs, and the reorientation of protection activities' monitoring using community-based mechanisms. However, the security environment has significantly hindered the implementation of activities, and the program's progress has been limited. The program's cumulative period target for IDPs reached is 215, while the total cumulative period target reached is 8,208. The program is working to reach the 24,000 IDPs living in three sites across the town, but the security context has made it challenging for project staff to reach the beneficiaries originally targeted.