A/HRC/36/64 27. During her last visit, the Independent Expert was informed that some budget lines had started to become available, notably those related to disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation, and that the authorities were willing to establish a national secretariat for implementing the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan and establishing contacts with partner States. 28. During the special session held from 3 to 17 January, the Assembly adopted laws on the establishment of the other institutions provided for in the Constitution, including the Economic and Social Council, the National Mediation Council, the High Council for Communication and the High Authority on Good Governance. 29. MINUSCA also supported the deployment of more than 600 administrative staff, the restoration of administrative buildings, mainly through the funding of quick-impact projects, and the launch of a territorial administration guide. 30. The States in the region, in cooperation with the Economic Community of Central African States and the African Union, have begun mediation efforts with a view to promoting a peace agreement between the Government and the various armed groups. The African Initiative for a Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in the Central African Republic, endorsed at the African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa on 30 and 31 January 2017, has enabled better coordination of mediation efforts, which were initially somewhat scattered. 31. On 19 June 2017, all armed groups, with the exception of 3R, met in Rome where, under the aegis of the Community of Sant’Egidio, they signed the Sant’Egidio Agreement, which provided for an immediate ceasefire. The day after the signing of the agreement, nearly 100 people were reportedly killed in Bria in clashes between FPRC and anti-Balaka fighters. Violence continues on the ground, potentially casting doubt on the credibility of this agreement. 32. Lastly, a coordination meeting between the peace mediators was held in Brussels on 21 June 2017 in order to agree on a road map for the implementation of the agreement. 33. Numerous civil society actors have expressed concern at the lack of transparency of these initiatives, the lack of communication from the Central African Government concerning the agreement and persistent rumours of negotiations to secure an amnesty for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Nevertheless, members of the Government assured the Independent Expert of their commitment to combating impunity. 34. The Independent Expert found it regrettable that no women were involved in the mediation initiatives, although she was encouraged by the establishment of a network for women’s leadership in the Central African Republic, which promotes the participation of women in all national processes, including those relating to peace and security. She also encourages the authorities to involve traditional leaders in their peace initiatives at the local level. C. Humanitarian situation 35. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated severely as a result of massive displacements caused by the resumption of fighting. More than 100,000 new internally displaced persons were registered in affected areas between September 2016 and February 2017. Half of the country, or 2.2 million people, remains dependent on humanitarian assistance.1 36. On 5 December 2016, a humanitarian response plan for the period 2017-2019 was presented in Geneva. It provides for a budget of $399 million to help 1.6 million Central Africans. It should be recalled that the plan was drawn up before the resumption of fighting and does not take into account needs linked to the new displacements. 1 6 See www.un.org/apps/newsFr/storyF.asp?NewsID 39133#.WWiBIIiGPcs. GE.17-12914