"Some 3.2 million people in Central African Republic lack access to essential healthcare because of the looting of medical supplies and the flight of many doctors from their posts after a coup in March that was followed by persistent widespread violence, aid agencies said. 'Inevitably, when there are no services, people seek alternatives,' said Alain Coutand, Director of Regional Operations at Action Contre la Faim [Action Against Hunger], an INGO responsible for treating malnutrition and implementing water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in CAR. 'We’ve seen examples of people displaced in the bush making their own soap with ashes and plants, so you can imagine they are referring back to traditional medicines too,' said Coutand."
3.2 million in need as Central African Republic health service collapses
September 17, 2013