The Humanitarian Coordinator a.i., Dr. Michel Yao, and the entire humanitarian community in the Central African Republic (CAR), condemns a recent upsurge in violence against the civilian population in Ngaoundaye, Ouham-Pende Prefecture.  Dr. Yao calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, to protect civilians and ensure that they can relocate safely from insecure areas.
 

The eruption of violence in Ngaoundaye has killed and injured several people since 15 June. Many houses have been burned and property looted. The renewed clashes have forced thousands of people to flee towards other villages in the country and to neighbouring Chad and Cameroon.

“I strongly condemn the attacks causing deaths and injuries among the civilians and remind all parties involved that indiscriminate or deliberately attacks against civilians is a war crime. Civilians must be respected and should not be targeted,” said Dr. Yao.

This new spiral of violence will likely cause additional humanitarian needs in CAR while the increasing insecurity is rendering the work of humanitarian actors even more challenging. Despite the rising challenges, humanitarian workers are committed to deliver live-saving assistance to all those in need.

Humanitarian access in CAR continues to be impeded by persistent insecurity and violent attacks. In May 2016, 49 access incidents were reported and one in four represented violence against aid workers. The number of reported access incidents in April were 41. The increase of violent incidents against humanitarian organizations led to the suspension of some relief activities in various parts of the country.

“It is urgent that international laws and conventions are respected and that all parties take immediate action and responsibility to respect the humanitarian space and secure the rights of the civilian population in CAR. We need to end all this unacceptable suffering,” Dr. Yao added.

Until the recent violence, CAR had an estimated 415,000 internally displaced persons while almost 467,000 had fled to neighbouring countries.