People of Central African Republic dying as the world blusters

NEARLY 500,000 people forced to flee their homes, more than 1m in desperate need of food, thousands abused, raped and executed, hundreds of children forcibly recruited to fight.

Thus far there has been no shortage of strong language, the world has not hesitated to call what is taking place in the Central African Republic a “looming human catastrophe”, “complete chaos” and “suffering beyond imagination” in this country of 4.6m people.

But what has been missing is effective international action to protect civilians and prevent a human rights catastrophe with consequences far beyond the country.