HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC HAMPERED BY LACK OF ACCESS, FUNDS

NEW YORK, 20 January (OCHA) -- Ongoing conflict in the north of the Central African Republic has provoked new displacements, according to local, reliable sources.  In Bodjomo and neighbouring villages near the Chadian border, several thousand people have fled recent clashes between Government troops and local insurgents, with half reportedly seeking refuge in Chad and the rest internally displaced in the country’s northern forests.

In spite of hopes for progress following successful elections in spring 2005, violence continues to affect the lives of many civilians in northern Central African Republic.  In June 2005, an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 additional refugees sought shelter in neighbouring Chad, joining the more than 30,000 who fled the country in 2003 following the current President’s temporary accession to power.

The potential for a renewed humanitarian crisis exists.  Priority needs for the displaced are for food, shelter, and medical assistance.  However, northern Central African Republic remains off-limits to the United Nations staff.  Some non-governmental organizations have pulled out of the area due to security concerns.  And while other non-governmental organizations that continue to operate in the region have expressed willingness to help the United Nations agencies to distribute assistance, the lack of resources could hinder such initiatives.  Additionally, Chad, which is hosting more than 200,000 refugees from Darfur, Sudan, as well as the 45,000 refugees from Central African Republic, has been beset by food shortages in 2005.

Responding to this situation will require increased assurances of humanitarian access and security for the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, including from the Government and non-State actors.  Donor support for the humanitarian programmes contained in the 2006 consolidated appeal for the Central African Republic will also be essential.  In 2006, the United Nations has called for nearly $47 million for assistance in the areas of human rights and the rule of law, health, food, education, water and sanitation and agriculture; against last year’s appeal for some $28 million, only $9.6 million was received -- just 35 per cent of requirements.

As noted in the most recent report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic, before the Security Council today for consideration, external financial assistance is essential to help the Central African Republic overcome its difficulties.  Previous humanitarian initiatives have accrued real benefits; after this summer’s flooding, which devastated the capital city, Bangui, the humanitarian community worked with the Government to establish a system for the distribution of clean drinking water and enhance disease surveillance.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA- New York, tel.:  +1 917 367 5126, mobile:  +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA- New York, tel.:  +1 917 367 9262; or Elizabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, tel.:  +41 22 917 2653, mobile:  +41 79 473 4570.

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For information media • not an official record