ReliefWeb

Violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) has greatly affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from the land-locked country at the heart of the continent. These people are now refugees and depend on humanitarian aid. After finding refuge in eastern Cameroon, they are supported by several EU-funded organisations to better cope in their situation. Despite their challenging environment, many are making a huge effort to engage in productive activities and turn around this difficult time in their lives. Information and communication assistant for West and Central Africa Aminata Barre spoke to five refugees.

Hadjara Magadji is 40 years old. Before seeking safety at the Borgop refugee camp, she was living in Niem, CAR. “_One day, anti-balakas entered the city and started shooting at us. Before being transported by UNHCR agents to the camp, I first had to walk through the bush. Later I was able to catch a ride on a motorcycle. Once in the camp, we were registered and then they provided us with a shelter.”_

Hadjara is the mother of a six year old boy and lives with her husband. According to her, the thought of returning to CAR is unsettling. Like the vast majority of CAR refugees in eastern Cameroon, she is from the Fufulbe ethnic group and is illiterate. Conflict in CAR has undermined her life, but despite this she has adapted to her new living conditions. “_Behind my shelter, I’m producing several varieties of vegetables to take better care of my child. Conducting activities is difficult but my husband is experienced._”

Living outside their country of origin, refugees are escaping persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership to a particular social group. They are unable to access the rights of protection that many elsewhere in the world take for granted. Refugees are living in circumstances that detract from their dignity and enjoyment of life.

Refugees are defined and protected in international law, and must not be expelled or returned to situations where their lives and freedom are at risk. 

CAR refugees enjoy the same protection in Cameroon through activities carried out by several EU humanitarian partners. This is the case for Minta Mahamadou in Mbile refugee camp. She left CAR three years ago. “_I lived in Bialy, a village near Bangui. I had several cows, chickens and goats,”_she tells us_. _One day, violence in the area separated her family._ “My children were not in the house, they are transhumant cattle herders and were away with the livestock when violence came to our village. We had to flee without them. They spent three months walking and with the support of organisations on the ground, we finally found each other again,” she recalls_. “_In this camp, we have received food, mats, blankets, buckets and soap.”_

Minta is a Sango native speaker (Sango is one of the most common languages in CAR). She is reorganising her life, caring for her aged husband. “_Before the conflict, I was self-sufficient. Now I depend on external assistance, but I can’t imagine returning to CAR. I thank all those who support us._”

For the EU, refugees are a top priority. In 2015, a total amount of €54.9 million was released by the EU to strengthen protection in several West and Central African countries.

In eastern Cameroon, the humanitarian response is focused on assisting refugees from CAR and host communities to meet their needs in terms of food, health and nutrition, access to water and sanitation, protection, shelter. Humanitarian assistance also provides non-food items, both within and outside refugee sites.

Hamadou Dabo, 38 years old, reflected on the dramatic twist his life has taken, “_I was a million miles away from imagining that I would one day live in a refugee camp. I had a secure life in CAR, but one day, we were round up and expelled by the Seleka community. Without support from the government and UNHCR at the border with Cameroon, we would have undoubtedly been killed.”_

Hamadou is from the Fufulbe ethnic group and spent some time studying in CAR, during his childhood. In the camp, he has received food assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP). “_I’m trying to find a large plot of land to cultivate. I used to do this in CAR. I also know how to breed animals and to do business,_” he says. 

Like Hamadou, Moussa Kari has benefited from a shelter provided by Premiére Urgence International (PUI). He used to be a great animal breeder and argues: “_I had more than seventy cows in CAR, I reached this camp with 10 of them. Some died along the way, some were stolen and others escaped. I lost eleven members of my family in the conflict. I’m currently preparing mixtures of seeds provided by humanitarian donors to conduct agricultural activities.”_

In addition to water, sanitation and hygiene activities, Solidarités International (SI) is also promoting food and vegetable production within and outside refugee camps. For the benefit of thousands of refugees in the same situation as Moussa, gardens are established beside shelters and water-points. Refugees receive coaching on the preparation of plants, transplanting crops and handling pesticides from SI community agents. 

Fadimatou Oumarou came to Borgop refugee camp with her grandmother. We find her at one of the water points. “_Water is crucial; we commemorated Global Handwashing Day in the camp a few weeks ago. I now have the automatic reflex to wash my hands before and after meals,_” she says as she draws water from the well.

Fadimatou, who is attending a school established in the camp, says: “_My father died and my mother remarried. I have to find ways for my well-being and harmonious growth within my community.”_