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Central African Republic: UNHCR Operational Update, October – November 2024

Attachments

In collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and the humanitarian community, UNHCR is providing multi-sectoral assistance including protection, shelter, health and education to 15,798 Sudanese refugees in Korsi, a government-designated neighborhood in the town of Birao (Vakaga), 65km from the border with Sudan.

STATISTICS / MAP

1155218 Forcibly displaced people

469892 Internally displaced people

684490 Refugees and asylum-seekers from the Central African Republic

15 195 Returnees from neighboring countries since January 2024

The government, UNHCR and its partners are providing assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), Chadian, Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees, while supporting the return of Central African refugees as part of durable solutions for refugees.

Operational Context

Since April 2023, the Central African Republic has been hosting thousands of Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict mainly via the Am Dafock border, as well as Chadian refugees, putting increasing pressure on UNHCR's limited resources. UNHCR and the CNR are coordinating the reception and registration of refugees and border monitoring. In collaboration with the humanitarian community, they are providing essential services, including protection, food, shelter, healthcare and education in Korsi, Vakaga.

Outside of Vakaga, 14,793 Sudanese refugees are living in hard-to-reach areas and require urgent assistance and protection. Additionally, over 6,500 Central African refugees in Darfur have been forced to return to CAR under precarious conditions.

As of 30 November, CAR hosts 54,011 refugees and asylum-seekers, primarily from Chad, South Sudan, the Sudan,and Rwanda. Of these, 47 per cent reside in rural areas, particularly in Vakaga, Ouaka, and Haut-Mbomou.

Since 2013, the crises in CAR have caused the displacement of 676,177 Central Africans to neighboring countries. In addition, as of 30 November, CAR has 469,892 IDPs, with 77,657 (17 per cent) living in displacement sites and 392,253 (83 per cent) hosted by families. However, certain areas have been deemed suitable for voluntary return, and the UNHCR supports this durable solution for refugees. A national strategy for the return of IDPs and Central African refugees has been developed and adopted in collaboration with the government.

Since voluntary repatriation began in 2017, UNHCR has supported the government in receiving 49,772 returnees, including 16,567 in 2024 (13,081 facilitated repatriations, mainly from Cameroon and the DRC, and 3,486 spontaneous returns or returns under precarious conditions from Sudan and Chad). In October and November, 659 Central Africans have returned. The main return areas included Bangui, Baboua, Baoro, Berbérati, Bouar, Bossemptele, Carnot, Mbaïki, and Mongoumba.