Impact of Sudan crisis in the Central African Republic (Flash Update 17 May 2023)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The humanitarian community is preparing an addendum to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to adapt the response

• More than 9,700 people, including Central African returnees have preventively fled from Sudan to Am-Dafock in CAR.

• Humanitarians are speeding up the stock prepositioning plan ahead of the rainy season, while providing emergency assistance.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Following the extent of humanitarian needs and the specific dynamics of the region hosting Sudanese asylum seekers and Central African returnees as established by the assessment mission led by the Humanitarian Coordinator on 4 May, the humanitarian community is preparing an addendum to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to adapt the response. Of the 130,000 people in need in the northern region of the country, the addendum will target 25,000 people most affected by the crisis in Sudan in need of immediate assistance, namely IDPs and the host population, complementing the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The above-mentioned situation in Am-Dafock was also the subject of a press briefing that the Humanitarian Coordinator held upon returning from the mission to Bangui on 5 May, of a debriefing with the Humanitarian Country Team on 6 May, and of a briefing with the diplomatic corps and donors on 9 May.

As a result of insecurity along the border area, traffic between Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) has been severely disrupted, causing a sharp increase in the price of basic commodities. Sudan supplies several towns in CAR, particularly Birao in the Vakaga Prefecture and Ndélé in the Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture. During the rainy season from April to October, access is very challenged and supplies largely depend on Sudan. For some items, prices have doubled. A 50-kg bag of sugar, which sold for XAF 40,000 before the conflict is now worth XAF 80,000 in Birao. A small bowl of millet that used to cost XAF 500 is now worth XAF 1,000.

The northern region of CAR was already experiencing acute food insecurity, a situation that is projected to reach one of its most severe stages by August if an adequate response is not forthcoming.

9,725 people, including 3,397 Central African returnees have preventively crossed the border from Sudan and are living in host families and spontaneous settlements in Am-Dafock, CAR. Women and children constitute 98 per cent of asylum seekers and 87 per cent of returnees. Their number is expected to increase as registration is underway, including consolidation of lists between Government partners and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Some people continue pendular movements between their homes in Sudan and Am-Dafock in CAR. The Humanitarian Coordinator, the Minister of Interior and Public Security, and United Nations Agencies' senior officials travelled to Am-Dafock on 4 May to better undestand the dynamics of the situation in the border region and related humanitarian needs, including protection, ongoing response and gaps.

Am-Dafock is in a flood-prone area and with the rainy season coming this month, access will be extremely limited. The humanitarian community is working hard to ensure that those in need receive required assistance in a timely manner, including in adapting logistical arrangements.