HIGHLIGHTS
Significant funding shortfalls in UNHCR’s operations put refugees and internally displaced populations at risk in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the sub-region;
In CAR, UNHCR and UNDP identified pilot areas in displaced sites in Bangui to initiate voluntary return assistance;
UNHCR and its partners conducted a large-scale vaccination campaign in Chad, reaching some 11,000 refugee children;
In Cameroon, the biometric registration of refugees in Gado was completed and will be conducted in the site of Borgop;
UNHCR launched the biometric registration of CAR refugees hosted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
UNHCR strengthened the education response in the Republic of the Congo.
Operational Context
Sporadic security incidents continue and the number of internally displaced in CAR decreases – The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) decreased between February and March 2016 from 435,000 to 420,000 people. This reduction is mainly due to return movements observed in specific IDP sites located in the interior (Batangafo, Bouca, Kaga Bandoro), which is greater than the sporadic displacement taking place in the northwestern and eastern part of the country. As of the end of March, there are 97 active IDP sites across CAR, including 18 sites in Bangui. Of the 420,000 recorded IDPs, 44 per cent are sheltered in IDP sites while the rest are reportedly residing with host families. The largest concentration of IDPs is in Ouaka Prefecture, where more than 61,000 people are sheltered in 10 IDP sites while others reside with host families (see map).
The month of March witnessed two security incidents targeting a public space (a grenade was thrown in a restaurant injuring 12 people including four UNHCR staff) and IDP sites (three people were injured in an armed attack against an IDP site) in Bambari. Transhumance-related violence involving Fulani herdsmen and anti-Balaka armed groups was observed in West and Central CAR, forcing the displacement of local communities westwards towards Koui and Bocaranga.