Central African Republic Situation Report No. 1 - 2 January 2013

This report is produced by OCHA CAR in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the period from 10 December 2012 to 2 January 2013. The next report will be issued on or around 9 January 2013.

Highlights

· The “Séléka” rebel group alliance has attacked several towns across the Central African Republic, moving from the north-east of the country in the direction of the capital Bangui.

· There are reports of people fleeing their homes for safety from a number of areas, including Bangui, in and around Ndélé where the fighting initially broke out, and across the borders to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to Cameroon.

· There are serious concerns about the protection of civilians amid reports of widespread looting and violence. An estimated 316,000 people are living in the affected areas, and some 700,000 persons in Bangui are at further risk of an escalation in fighting.

· The violence has prompted temporary evacuations of humanitarian staff out of affected areas and has seriously disrupted life-saving humanitarian programmes throughout affected areas. Humanitarian partners are calling for immediate unimpeded access to affected regions.