📋 Tender Overview
Supporting the return and reintegration of refugees is a priority for the Central African government in the stabilization process initiated in 2019 through the National Strategy for Sustainable Solutions (2024-2028). The contribution of Swiss Cooperation to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supports efforts to facilitate peaceful coexistence between returnees, internally displaced persons, and host communities in the Central African Republic.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Central African Republic
Migration and Development
Governance
Emergency Relief and Protection
Forced displacement (refugees, IDP, human trafficking)
Legal and judicial development
Protection, access & security
01.09.2026 - 29.02.2028
CHF 1’200’000
The project in brief
Background The Central African Republic (CAR) continues to face a persistent displacement crisis. As of mid-2026, 672,898 Central African refugees were living in neighboring countries, primarily Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Chad, while 428,227 people remained internally displaced. In 2025, UNHCR registered 21,455 returns and, together with the government, aims for 60,000 repatriations in 2026-2027 and then 120,000 in 2028. The UNHCR initiative will support government civil registration services to improve registration and the issuance of recognized documents. The current political shift encourages returns, but also exacerbates tensions if they are not properly prepared, managed, and supported. By securing legal identity and access to rights, it will strengthen trust in institutions and the conditions of return. It will help reduce the risks of statelessness and the factors of exclusion that fuel tensions, while consolidating social cohesion.
Objectives To contribute to the peaceful coexistence and inclusion of different communities (residents, displaced persons, returnees) by improving access to civil documentation, legal identity and civil status services.
Target groups Direct: 40,000 returnees and members of host communities, across 10 development hubs listed in the PND, mainly in the prefectures of the west and northwest (Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Nana-Mambéré, Mambéré-Kadei, Ombella-M'Poko, Ouham). Indirect: 1,053,531 indirect beneficiaries in the intervention areas.
Medium-term outcomes OS 1: Civil registration bodies have their capacities strengthened and provide accessible, efficient and equitable services. OS 2: Communities and local authorities have and use inclusive spaces for dialogue as well as effective mechanisms for conflict prevention, resolution and accountability.
