UNHCR reaches Sudanese refugees in remote region of Central African Republic
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has established contact with some 3,500 Sudanese refugees who made their way to north-east Central African Republic (CAR) after fleeing inter-tribal conflict in Sudan’s Central Darfur region two months ago.Refugees are presently scattered in the Birao, Boromata and Roukoutou districts, which are difficult to access. UNHCR staff in Central African Republic were finally able to meet some of the refugees in Birao on 23 May, the agency disclosed in a press statement of 31 May.The refugees said their villages in Umm Djeradil, Umm Dukhun locality, had been torched during the clashes about two months ago in which many people were killed.Some families were also separated during the confusion, with hundreds heading to CAR and thousands of others crossing the border into south-east Chad, where they have received help from UNHCR, it was stated.Umm Dukhun town is virtually empty at the moment, according to witnesses’ reports. The town saw tensions rise when a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried to rob a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Hostilities erupted the next day when 4,000 men from both sides began battling each other. Clashes have since spread north and to South Darfur, where the Al Taaysha tribe allegedly provided support to the Misseriya.In a previous occasion, UNHCR has said that as result of the battles in South and Central Darfur 50,000 people sought refuge in Chad within a short period of time, terming it the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.Staff from UNHCR who went to Birao in CAR said the new arrivals were living in extremely precarious conditions. Most were living in the open under trees. Health and sanitation were a concern in an area with few health services available. They are at great risk of catching waterborne diseases because they were drinking water from a contaminated well, UNHCR says.It added that the refugees are almost totally dependent on the local community and many of them have been given agricultural work, tending crops and harvesting bamboo for sale in the market.UNHCR plans to assist the refugees, but security remains an issue. The refugee agency and the World Food Programme are planning distributions of food (for three months) and non-food aid.Within CAR, the situation remains unstable following the capture of the capital, Bangui, by opposition Seleka forces in March, UNHCR says. Humanitarian access to those in need, including more than 200,000 internally displaced people, remains very difficult. UNHCR affirmed that the prevailing security situation has badly impacted its operations in the country.A Sudanese living in a CAR camp disclosed in March to radio Dabanga that 5,663 refugees were uprooted from their homes because of the coup d’état. He adding the refugees were living in “deplorable” conditions in an abandoned camp located near the Sudanese border without any kind of infra-structure.Photo: UNHCR staff meet the Sudanese refugees in Birao, Central African Republic, earlier this month (UNHCR/J.Ghota)Related:Central Darfur’s Umm Dukhun ‘virtually deserted’ after clashes resumed (30 May 2013)‘5.663’ Sudan refugees in CAR uprooted after coup (27 March 2013)
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has established contact with some 3,500 Sudanese refugees who made their way to north-east Central African Republic (CAR) after fleeing inter-tribal conflict in Sudan’s Central Darfur region two months ago.
Refugees are presently scattered in the Birao, Boromata and Roukoutou districts, which are difficult to access. UNHCR staff in Central African Republic were finally able to meet some of the refugees in Birao on 23 May, the agency disclosed in a press statement of 31 May.
The refugees said their villages in Umm Djeradil, Umm Dukhun locality, had been torched during the clashes about two months ago in which many people were killed.
Some families were also separated during the confusion, with hundreds heading to CAR and thousands of others crossing the border into south-east Chad, where they have received help from UNHCR, it was stated.
Umm Dukhun town is virtually empty at the moment, according to witnesses’ reports. The town saw tensions rise when a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried to rob a Salamat man, who was not hurt. Hostilities erupted the next day when 4,000 men from both sides began battling each other. Clashes have since spread north and to South Darfur, where the Al Taaysha tribe allegedly provided support to the Misseriya.
In a previous occasion, UNHCR has said that as result of the battles in South and Central Darfur 50,000 people sought refuge in Chad within a short period of time, terming it the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.
Staff from UNHCR who went to Birao in CAR said the new arrivals were living in extremely precarious conditions. Most were living in the open under trees. Health and sanitation were a concern in an area with few health services available. They are at great risk of catching waterborne diseases because they were drinking water from a contaminated well, UNHCR says.
It added that the refugees are almost totally dependent on the local community and many of them have been given agricultural work, tending crops and harvesting bamboo for sale in the market.
UNHCR plans to assist the refugees, but security remains an issue. The refugee agency and the World Food Programme are planning distributions of food (for three months) and non-food aid.
Within CAR, the situation remains unstable following the capture of the capital, Bangui, by opposition Seleka forces in March, UNHCR says. Humanitarian access to those in need, including more than 200,000 internally displaced people, remains very difficult. UNHCR affirmed that the prevailing security situation has badly impacted its operations in the country.
A Sudanese living in a CAR camp disclosed in March to radio Dabanga that 5,663 refugees were uprooted from their homes because of the coup d’état. He adding the refugees were living in “deplorable” conditions in an abandoned camp located near the Sudanese border without any kind of infra-structure.
Photo: UNHCR staff meet the Sudanese refugees in Birao, Central African Republic, earlier this month (UNHCR/J.Ghota)
Related:
Central Darfur’s Umm Dukhun ‘virtually deserted’ after clashes resumed (30 May 2013)
‘5.663’ Sudan refugees in CAR uprooted after coup (27 March 2013)
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