West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (28 November - 4 December 2017)

CABO VERDE

DROUGHT LEAVES 28,000 FOOD INSECURE

Around 28,000 people are in “crisis” and “emergency” phases of food insecurity following poor harvest in this year due to irregular and low rainfall. The number is projected to reach 36,000 in 2018 if no adequate measures are taken. Overall food security is currently stable, with cereals available in markets. However, prices have increased. The authorities have developed a 7.7 million-euro programme to save livestock and provide employment to the affected population.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

OVER 10,000 FLEE FEARING ATTACK

Rumours of attack by armed herdsmen in the southern Mbomou region have prompted more than 10,000 people to flee their villages to a nearby town where survival is harsh and many lack proper shelter. In a previous attack in another locality in the region, assailants burned down houses, forcing thousands of residents to flee for safety. Armed attacks have become regular over the past year in many regions, displacing tens of thousands of civilians and impeding relief assistance.

DR CONGO

AID WORKERS ATTACKED IN TANGANYIKA PROVINCE

Assailants on 24 November attacked and robbed aid workers in three vehicles belonging to three different aid organizations in the eastern Tanganyika province. Two days earlier, another NGO vehicle was attacked.
Between 28 October and 17 November, 12 incidents of insecurity were reported on the road linking Kalemie and Nyunzu areas of Tanganyika, including seven that involved aid organisations. Four aid organizations have now suspended operations.

MALI

AID OPERATIONS SUSPENDED OVER INSECURITY

Seven humanitarian organizations on 27 November suspended operations in Ménaka region for two days due to multiple attacks on premises and homes of aid workers. The measure was to protest growing insecurity in the region and to call on the authorities to provide better security to humanitarian actors. Recent attacks have prompted one NGO to relocate staff to the capital Bamako.

NIGER

VILLAGERS FLEE AFTER FARMER-HERDER CLASHES

Some 600 people have fled their homes in a village in the southern Maradi region fearing reprisal attacks following clashes between farmers and herders on 22 November.
Those fleeing are mostly herders. Three people were killed in the fighting and 12 others gone missing. Aid organizations are supporting the local authorities to provide food, blankets and shelter materials for those forced to flee.

NIGERIA

GUNMEN ATTACK POLIO VACCINATORS

Gunmen attacked a Government polio vaccination team on 28 November in Gubio locality in the country’s conflict-hit north-east.
The team managed to escape unhurt, but the vaccination was suspended. The motive of the attack remains unclear. The group was escorted by vigilantes collaborating with the military in fighting Boko Haram. Polio reemerged in Nigeria in 2016 after two years, prompting massive vaccination campaigns that have also been conducted in neighbouring countries.