HIGHLIGHTS
Persisting insecurity impedes humanitarian access in Bambari, Ouaka province.
Since January, over 173,000 people received emergency food assistance.
Refugees in Bambouti require access to basic social services including schools and health facilities.
The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) allocates USD 9 million to the CAR.
Upsurge of violence hinders humanitarian access to the people in need of assistance
The Central African Republic (CAR) continues to face intermittent outbreaks of violence which deteriorate further the already dire humanitarian situation countrywide. In the town of Bambari, Ouaka province, clashes between two factions of an armed group on 4 July had widespread repercussions in the region. Casualty figures in Bambari included at least 13 people killed and 15 injured of whom 9 were evacuated to Bangui for intensive care. Although fighting ceased on the same day, the situation in the town and surrounding areas remain very precarious as a result of inter-community tensions.
Due to insecurity, UNDSS recommended a movement restriction in Bambari, leading to a reduction in humanitarian activities. The water trucking activity which normally delivers 120 m3 of water per day to over 18,000 people was interrupted and only 20 m3 of water was delivered; significantly decreasing access to water for the people in need. The movement restriction hindered humanitarians from having access to operate generators used for water bladders and the maintenance of water points. The second round of an ICRC organized catch-up vaccination session in Kouango was postponed due to insecurity while Mercy Corps’ projects on the rehabilitation of houses, which were destroyed during intercommunity violence last year in Akpé neighborhood and the construction of markets in Kidjigra and Bornou were suspended.
Although the insecurity imposed restrictions and severely hampered humanitarian access, several lifesaving activities continued to be provided to ensure the most urgent needs of the population was met. This included the provision of medical services and assistance; treatment of the people injured and medical evacuations were undertaken by MSF Holland and the ICRC while WHO and UNICEF provided medical supplies. As the situation slightly improved, humanitarian organizations quickly picked up their activities as of 7 July