“Everywhere I went, I saw dedication in action – communities leading, partners supporting, lives being rebuilt. Humanitarian work here is about more than relief; it’s about restoring dignity,” says Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, about her recent visit to the Central African Republic (CAR).

She brought renewed attention to one of the world’s most overlooked humanitarian crises and the role the funds managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) continue to play in addressing it. 

Throughout her mission, Ms. Msuya showed the compounded impact of the Sudan crisis, the consequences of underfunding, and the urgent need for donor re-engagement.

“The CAR Humanitarian Fund is a vital lifeline for millions caught in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, and its role has never been more critical,” she says.

“Its commitment to support localization not only strengthens national capacities but ensures that humanitarian action is rooted in the realities on the ground — making every dollar count where it matters most.

I am impressed by the tireless efforts of amazing Financing Team in Bangui, who with dedication and in often very difficult circumstances continues to be at the heart of this neglected crisis to ensure that resources reach those who need them most.

The people of the CAR have endured unimaginable hardship — displaced time and time again, fleeing violence and hunger.

Yet, throughout my mission, I heard powerful stories of resilience and hope, and how the [CAR Humanitarian Fund] has made a tangible difference in people's lives.

Because despite everything they’ve faced, their determination to rebuild remains unwavering, and thanks to the fund, they have a real opportunity to do just that.

In Zemio, I had a chance to visit projects supported by the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).

I saw firsthand how CERF funding enabled the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide displaced women with dignity kits, which restore a sense of normalcy, safety, and self-worth in women living in the midst of this crisis.

These kits are more than just supplies; they help women reclaim their dignity and resilience.”