Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) boasts significant natural resources, including agricultural land, water and minerals.
Located in the heart of Africa, around nine per cent of the landlocked country is covered by rainforest.
However, CAR has suffered decades of instability. One of the poorest countries on the planet, more than 62 per cent of the population were already living below the national poverty line before the country began its descent into widespread violence in 2013.
The brutal conflict in CAR has so far forced one million people from their homes. The UNOCHA estimates that 2.6 million people – more than half of the population – require humanitarian aid. At present, around 1.5 million people are thought to be food insecure.
Islamic Relief began working in conflict-torn CAR early in 2014, and has since provided emergency relief and aid for some of the most vulnerable people in the country.