ReliefWeb

HUMANITARIAN ACCESS CONSTRAINTS

Humanitarian access is severely curtailed due to insecurity, poor road networks and the scattering of populations in remote areas. OCHA has been endlessly negotiating access with the ex-Séléka and anti-Balakas at various levels and in order to facilitate access to areas under their control, but internal divisions and lack of command and control, as well as a breakdown of security and rule of law throughout the country translate into continued looting and high risks for humanitarian staff. Relief organisations report daily incidents of mob violence, looting and banditry committed. Eighteen humanitarian workers have been killed and six wounded since January 2014. In addition, 124 security incidents have been documented. The renewed violence has seriously disrupted humanitarian operations, with an increasing trend of attacks against humanitarian workers including on 1 November an attempted kidnapping of an NGO staff in Bangui. The reduced humanitarian access due to violent attacks, threats, road barricades and extortions against aid workers represent a serious roadblock to the supply of humanitarian assistance outside Bangui where humanitarian needs are enormous. The continuous danger that humanitarian workers are exposed to, can force to cut back assistance to thousands of people in need.