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West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (4 - 10 October 2016)

Attachments

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

IDPs RETURNING HOME AFTER ATTACK

Around 670 of the 3,560 people displaced last month following armed attacks in the southern Kouango area had returned home by 1 October. During the 10 September attack, six people were killed and more than 400 houses burned down. Improving security due to patrols by UN peacekeeping troops is encouraging the displaced to go back to their villages. However, they are in dire need of basic household items and shelter to resume normal life. Insecurity remains a major threat to civilian safety across the country and a hindrance to humanitarian operations

CONGO REPUBLIC

OVER 4,300 DISPLACED IN SOUTHERN REGION

More than 4,300 people remain displaced in the southern Pool region, which was the scene of military operations against an armed group accused of being behind the violent attacks in the capital Brazzaville in April.
According to the government, some 2,200 people have fled to Kinkala, the region’s capital, and around 1,500 others in the surrounding areas. The authorities are blaming recent attacks in the region on gunmen linked to Frederic Bintsamou, better known as Pastor Ntumi, who led a militia that fought President Denis Sassou Nguesso during and after the 1997 civil war.

NIGER

RIFT VALLEY FEVER COULD SPREAD ACROSS BORDERS

An outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in the western Tchintabaraden district has infected 90 people and killed 28 others since early August. Experts from the ministries of health and livestock, WHO and FAO are working to contain the outbreak which could spread to neighbouring countries. A mobile laboratory from Senegal’s Institut Pasteur has also been deployed in the field to help in diagnosis and monitor response.

NIGER

RAID IN TOWN HOSTING REFUGEES

On 6 October, armed assailants attacked a military position in the western Tassalit area which is home to around 4,000 Malian refugees. The attackers killed 22 soldiers and wounded five others. They also looted the local health centre, stole medical stocks and torched a UNHCR ambulance. However, no UNHCR staff or partners were present during the raid and no refugees were harmed. Niger currently hosts over 60,000 Malian refugees and has received more than 5,000 others so far this year. UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon has urged Niger’s government to reinforce security around refugee camps.

NIGERIA

VACCINE-DERIVED POLIO CASE DETECTED

A vaccine-derived poliovirus has been detected in Nigeria, WHO reported on 6 October. This is addition to the three wild polio virus cases diagnosed in August.
Large-scale supplementary immunization is currently underway across the region.
Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad and Niger declared a regional public health emergency for the Lake Chad subregion following the cases in Nigeria.

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