Britain Announces Aid to Central African Republic

Britain said Saturday it would provide £10 million ($16.4 million, 1.2 million euro) in aid to the Central African Republic to help tackle the humanitarian crisis in the country.

The support package of emergency healthcare, clean water and logistical support is intended to boost the relief programs of international aid agencies operating in the strife-torn nation.

"It is clear the situation in the CAR is deteriorating rapidly with reports of violence and tension between communities," said International Development Secretary Justine Greening.

"Hundreds of thousands of people have already fled their homes and are entirely dependent on outside relief.

"This investment will help make sure that we get urgent relief supplies to those in need and to protect vulnerable groups like girls and women."

The CAR, a deeply poor landlocked nation prone to coups, insurgencies, banditry and mutinies, plunged into chaos after a rebel coalition known as the Seleka (Alliance) ousted president Francois Bozize on March 24.

The United Nations estimates that at least 400,000 people, or 10 percent of the population, have been forced from their homes by the crisis.