According to the United Nations, over 1.6 million people are in urgent need of aid including food, protection, health care and other life-saving services in Central African Republic. This was disclosed by emergency directors from seven U.N. and two private agencies on a-three-day assessment mission to the country.

CEOAFRICA.com gathered that over 394,000 people have fled their homes since the current crisis began last December when Seleka rebels ousted the then President Francois Bozize.

Since then, the former rebels have allowed the country to slide into chaos, with widespread robberies, looting, and violence, much of it blamed on Seleka fighters.
UNICEF Spokeswoman, Marixie Mercado says the education system in CAR has suffered greatly from the crisis, as analysis detailed that at least seven out of ten students have not returned to school since December.

 “Four out of five people said that fear of violence remains the main reason that students are reluctant to return to school.  Absent teachers and lack of supplies were the two other main reasons. 

“These numbers are a telling indicator of need.  They show that there is sufficient generalized insecurity and fear, that teachers and pupils are afraid to go to school, and that parents are understandably not wanting to let their children out of their sight," said Mercado.

UNICEF is calling on CAR authorities to take concrete measures to support the permanent and safe return of all teachers and students to school.