Central African Republic – 29 April 2016

In Central African Republic, UN Security Council Extends MINUSCA Peacekeeping Force Mandate

The United Nations Security Council decided Tuesday to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping force in Central African Republic after concluding that the war-torn country remains a threat to international peace and security. The 15-member world body said MINUSCA, as the force is known, will now be deployed until July 31.

MINUSCA recently oversaw the peaceful organization of a constitutional referendum in December last year, as well as mostly nonviolent elections that led to last month’s inauguration of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, a former prime minister and math teacher.

International Business Times

Red Cross volunteers determined to combat malaria in hard to reach areas

Meri Line Sounget, of the Central African Red Cross Society, is the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) focal person for the HIV and tuberculosis programmes in the country, financed by the Global Fund.

However, this mother of three also doubles up as the person who oversees the mass distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets by Red Cross volunteers, in collaboration with the IFRC.

“I was very excited when I was first told that I would be leading Red Cross volunteers in the mass distribution of nets in the hard to reach areas of the country,” said Meri Line. “I had heard of the suffering of many families in overcrowded camps, those living in the open air and in bushes, so this was going to be an opportunity to be of service to them.

IFRC