Central African Republic (CAR): Situation Report No. 26 (as of 22 May 2014)

Highlights

• Some 1,500 people have been displaced by fighting that broke out on 22 May between Sangaris and ex-Seleka elements in Bambari town centre.

• Three-hundred youths have been recruited through IOM’s cash-for work activities in the 3rd and 5th districts of Bangui.

• UNICEF and partners have secured the release of over 1,000 children from armed groups this year, more than five times the number of children released in 2013.

• FAO will distribute about 1,800 tons of staple crop seeds and hand tools by the end of May to 80,000 vulnerable families (378,500 people) in 15 provinces. Distribution started at the end of April, and more than 22,000 farming families have already received kits.

• 554,800 IDPs in CAR 129,800 IDPs in 43 sites in Bangui and with host families

• US$565 million Revised 2014 Strategic Response Plan (SRP) requirements

• 1.9 million Vulnerable people targeted by SRP for humanitarian aid

• 32% Funding available (about $178 million) against the revised SRP

• 4.6 million Population of CAR

• 2.5 million People who need assistance

Situation Overview

The security situation continues to be unpredictable countrywide, preventing most internally displaced persons (IDPs) from returning home. Fighting broke out on 22 May between Sangaris and ex-Seleka elements in Bambari town centre. The cause is unknown. Recent efforts by Sangaris forces to disarm some ex-Seleka elements in the area have resulted in high tensions that prompted displacements from various neighbourhoods. Up to 1,500 IDPs (mostly women and children) are seeking refuge in the Bambari Catholic Mission (St. Joseph), while others have fled to the WFP and MINUSCA compounds. The humanitarian presence in Bambari includes staff from Mercy Corps, IMC, COOPI, Triangle Génération Humanitaire, MSF-H, ICRC, the French Red Cross, Save the Children, WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, FAO, UNFPA, WHO and OCHA. All are accounted for.

On 14 May, unidentified armed men arrived in Markounda (Ouham Province), 457 km from Bangui. For unknown reasons, they opened fire on residents, killing 22 people and wounding many. On 14 May, ex-Seleka elements arrived in Bambari from Ndele (Bamingui Bangoran Province) to set up their headquarters, following a decision made during a meeting of ex-Seleka officers in Ndele earlier this month.

Cash-for-work activities, which are part of IOM’s Community Stabilization and Retention of Mixed Communities project, have been expanded to employ 300 youths in the 3rd and 5th districts of Bangui. The workers rehabilitate markets, gutters and drainage systems, and provide waste-management support to IDP sites in the 3rd district.