World bank announces $100m in crisis response for CAR

The World Bank Group announced here Thursday that will mobilize USD 100 million in emergency development funds for Central Africa Republic (CAR).The Bank said in a statement that the funds will "help restore key government services and provide much-needed food, healthcare, and other vital supplies for the people of the Central Africa Republic (CAR) after violence overwhelmed their country in recent months, and displaced more than 25 percent of the population." The World Bank's Vice President for Africa Makhtar Diop said that the funds would be released in the course of 2014 and only in line with a steadily improving peace and security situation in the country."The people of the Central African Republic are facing one of their most profound tragedies in recent memory, which requires urgent support from the international community," Diop stressed.Diop affirmed "we are moving quickly to mobilize USD 100 million to help reestablish key government services and get people the life-saving supplies they need to survive this ordeal and resume their lives." "We pledge to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of CAR in their time of need, and beyond," Diop remarked. In addition to its immediate emergency support, the Bank will continue to work with CAR on existing projects and programs.