A/HRC/39/70 a view to developing an action plan for child protection in Central Africa. In this regard, the Independent Expert notes the role that could be played by ECCAS in drawing up such a strategic plan and by the States active in child protection in providing the necessary political, technical and financial support to Central African reintegration programmes for demobilized children. F. Economic, social and cultural rights 62. The Independent Expert has taken note of the examination in March 2018 of the initial report of the Central African Republic on application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (see E/C.12/CAF/CO/1). In Bangui in June, she invited the authorities she met with to strive as far as possible to fulfil their obligations under the Covenant and to follow the Committee’s recommendation. She also underscored the link between those recommendations and the Millennium Development Goals. 63. The Independent Expert supports the considerations of the Committee on the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights aimed at remedying certain causes of conflict (ibid., para 10), including inequalities of treatment and the seizure of resources by a few individuals. She also shares the Committee’s views on the place of economic, social and cultural rights in transitional justice, including the compensation of victims and guarantees of non-recurrence. 64. The Independent Expert has taken note of the National Recovery and Peacebuilding Plan (2017–2021), the aim of which is to support the reforms essential to the security of Central Africans, national reconciliation, redeployment of the State and recovery of the productive sectors. She is, however, concerned at the delays in implementation. In particular, she invited her interlocutors to develop a programmatic approach to transitional justice, linking the second and third pillars of the Plan (social contract and economic recovery) and peacebuilding and security measures in order to facilitate reconciliation. 65. During her visits to the regions, the Independent Expert regretted that basic social services, such as education, health, water supply and sanitation, were still inadequate or provided by humanitarian organizations. She emphasized especially respect for the economic, social and cultural rights of displaced persons and refugees in order to foster their reintegration in their communities of origin. 66. The Independent Expert is also struck by the correlation between exploitation of natural resources and the violence of conflicts, and appreciates the recommendation made by the Committee to the State to guarantee transparency and traceability in the management of revenues arising from the exploitation of natural resources and from external aid (E/C.12/CAF/CO/1, para. 15 b). She recommends that detailed studies on the management of resources be conducted for this purpose and greater private sector involvement in the protection and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights. IV. Humanitarian situation A. Observations 67. The humanitarian situation has not improved and remains very worrying. In June 2018, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that there were 653,890 displaced persons and 584,000 Central African refugees. The number of persons needing humanitarian assistance had risen from 2.2 million to 2.5 million, i.e. more than half the population of the country. 3 3 GE.18-13342 Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Central African Republic”, Humanitarian Bulletin, No. 36 (June 2018). 11