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HIGHLIGHTS
In 2024, the humanitarian community in CAR plans to assist 2.8 million most vulnerable people. US$ 367.7 million is required.
Humanitarian actors provided life-saving assistance to 2 million people in 2023.
Increasingly worrying humanitarian situation in the Haut-Mbomou Prefecture.
Faced with insecurity in their villages, Chadians seek refuge in northwest Central Africa
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Impact of Sudan crisis in the Central African Republic
In neighboring Sudan, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have continued since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023, resulting in massive displacement of population. Eleven months of brutal fighting is driving a hunger crisis in Sudan, with some areas likely to experience catastrophic levels of food insecurity by the lean season in May. In August 2023, the Central African government signed a decree granting prima facie refugee status to Sudanese fleeing the conflict.
Since April 2023, 31,649 forcibly displaced people from Sudan have arrived in CAR, including 25,491 Sudanese refugees and 6,158 Central African returnees (former CAR refugees in Sudan). A total of 16,968 (6,764 households) Sudanese refugees have been biometrically registered and live in 13 localities, mostly in hard-to-reach locations outside Vakaga prefecture and need protection and assistance. 213 new arrivals (91 families) were recorded in Korsi, Birao, bringing the number of refugees to 12,748. Since January, 8,972 new arrivals have been registered in Korsi. The registration of an estimated 3,500 newly arrived refugees continues in Bria and Sam Ouandja (Haute Kotto prefecture), Ippy in Ouaka prefecture and Mboki in Haut-Mbomou prefecture. As of 1st June, UNHCR and the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) have registered 565 Sudanese refugees (225 families), among which 268 refugees (92 families) are in Bria and 297 refugees (133 families) in Ippy.
Economic consequences
As a result of insecurity along the border area, traffic between Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) has been severely disrupted, causing a sharp increase in the price of basic commodities. Sudan supplies several towns in CAR, particularly Birao in Vakaga Prefecture and Ndélé in Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture. During the rainy season from April to October, access is very challenged and supplies largely depend on Sudan. For some items, prices have doubled at the onset of the crisis. A 50 kg bag of sugar, which was sold for XAF 40,000 before the conflict, rose to XAF 80,000 in Birao. Similarly, a small bowl of millet, previously sold for XAF 500 was priced at XAF 1,000. Subsequently, humanitarian community intervention helped establish some price stability by supplying several tons of certain products from Bangui to Birao. The northern region of CAR was already experiencing acute food insecurity, a situation that is projected to reach one of its most severe stages if an adequate response is not forthcoming.
Facing additional needs
In 2024, 913,000 individuals will be extremely vulnerable to the extent that humanitarian assistance alone is not sufficient for their well-being in the northern region of the country, encompassing the prefectures of Vakaga, Bamingui-Bangoran, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, and Nana-Gribizi. They numbered over a million (1,093,000) in 2023. This decrease is mainly due to the reduction in the number of shocks faced by the populations, such as clashes between conflicting parties and the resulting population movements. Despite the decrease, attacks against civilians persist, forcing the population to seek refuge elsewhere. Conflicts in neighboring Sudan and Chad have also impacted the vulnerability of populations, increasing the magnitude of needs in the northeast and northwest regions.
Humanitarian response
In 2023, the humanitarian community airlifted emergency multi-sector assistance to Birao, as part of the stock prepositioning plan implemented every year in northern CAR, where access is extremely limited during the rainy season from April to November. In June 2023, the UNHCR relocated refugees and spontaneous returnees from Am-Dafock to Birao, a safer area identified by authorities further away from the border with Sudan. 2,286 people have relocated to the Korsi site in Birao, and authorities have granted 300 hectares of farmland to refugees to facilitate their integration. Assisted relocation has been suspended, as the road between Am-Dafock and Birao becomes impassable during the current rainy season, but spontaneous relocation movements have been recorded.
The humanitarian response continued at the Korsi site in Birao, Ndele and Sam-Ouandja. NGOs, UN agencies and other international organizations distributed food, essential household items, provided clean water, built emergency shelters and latrines, provided health care, education and protection support.
In 2024, according to the UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP), US$ 46.2 million are required to respond to preliminary needs of 40,000 refugees, 3,300 returnees, and 28,000 members of host communities. In its first phase, partners will continue to collaborate with the government to ensure access to territory, asylum, and provide support to individuals requiring international protection. The principle of "do no harm" will be at the core of the response.
In its second phase, emphasis will be placed on continuing refugee relocation activities from insecure border areas to the Korsi zone. Cash assistance will be provided to enhance the ability to meet specific needs and reduce the likelihood of individuals and households resorting to harmful coping strategies. The listening centers will remain operational to address gender-based violence prevention, along with the provision of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) kits for HIV, frontline worker training, and community member training. Food distribution, clean water provision, emergency shelter, healthcare services, and essential relief items such as mosquito nets and hygiene kits will be ensured at entry points.
In its third phase, partners will also direct their response towards building resilience, livelihoods, and economic inclusion. This will include supporting local organizations with agricultural inputs and necessary tools, enhancing existing skills by leveraging local resources while establishing links with existing businesses to create economic opportunities.
Decrease in Humanitarian Funding
In 2024, the situation remains concerning, with 2.8 million people – 46 per cent of the population – who are extremely vulnerable to the extent that humanitarian assistance alone is not sufficient for their well-being.
The humanitarian community aims to provide vital multisectoral assistance to 1.9 million of the most vulnerable Central Africans and calls for the mobilization of US$ 367.7 million, in a global context of decreasing humanitarian funding. The capacity to absorb additional needs is very limited.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.
