Résilience spontanée, résilience suscitée. Les complexités de l’action humanitaire en « zone LRA » (Est de la République Centrafricaine)

Abstract

South-Eastern CAR (Central African Republic) has been facing regular exactions from the Lord Resistance Army since 2009. The fear inspired by this Ugandan rebellion has destabilized the entire sub-region, forcing the population to seek refuge in bigger cities and creating a major food crisis. This situation resulted in an increased presence of NGOs whose main goal is to support the population’s resiliency; this is to say rebuilding their ability to overcome lootings as well as the continuing insecurity. Three questions need to be asked. First, what are the population’s survival strategies when confronted to such insecurity? Then, how do NGOs support the beneficiaries’ resiliency, despite a complex environment and potential negative side effects? We are here analyzing ethical considerations in a humanitarian intervention, ethics echoing the notion of social precaution. Finally, we have to wonder if spontaneous resiliency and “supported” resiliency are or can be compatible, especially in a continuing crisis such as the one in Eastern CAR. Some answers are provided in this article, based on quantitative and qualitative surveys carried out in three small towns in Haut Mbomou.