CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CALM RETURNING TO KAGA BANDORO , UNREST HITS BANGUI
Calm is gradually returning to the northern Kaga Bandoro area following a recent upsurge of violence. Humanitarian actors are working to provide shelter, food, health services as well as emergency education. WFP has already distributed food to 23,973 people. The majority of those who fled their homes in the wake of the violent attacks are still in the bush. On 17 October, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and the UN Special Representative Parfait OnangaAnyanga visited Kaga Bandoro to help ease tensions and show solidarity with the affected population. Separately, violence erupted in the capital Bangui on 24 October, resulting in the deaths of four people and 14 others wounded. The UN peacekeeping mission MINUSCA condemned the incident and said it was supporting the authorities n investigations.
CHAD
CASES OF HEPATITIS E EMERGE IN SALAMAT
Around 140 cases of Hepatitis E, a viral infection of the liver common in areas with limited water supply and sanitation, have been diagnosed in the southern Salamat region since September. The number of cases has risen four-fold in less than three weeks, with four deaths (two pregnant women and two children) registered, according to MSF-Holland. The aid group is providing treatment, public awareness on hygiene and distributing basic relief items. According to its epidemiologic modelling, up to 8,000 people could be affected by the epidemic, whose peak would be reached by January 2017. A joint mission was organized on 20 October by the Ministry of Health, WHO and MSF to assess the situation and take further measures as needed.
MAURITANIA
DESERT LOCUSTS SWARM VAST AREAS IN NORTH
Swarms of desert locusts have been reported over large areas between Trarza and Adrar regions in the north. Ground control operations are ongoing and have so far covered nearly 6,500 hectares. Groups of mature adults have also been reported in the west of the country. Seasonal rainfall predictions suggest slightly above average rainfall in November and December that should allow the continuation of favourable conditions for locust breeding and survival.
NIGERIA
PERSISTENT ATTACKS IMPEDE HUMANITARIAN ACCESS
Boko Haram gunmen stormed Goptari community in Chibok locality on the night of 18 October, shooting sporadically and looting food and livestock. Earlier on the same day, a military post in Gashigar town near the border with Niger was attacked and 13 soldiers wounded. Intense fighting between the military and Boko Haram elements continues to impede humanitarian access to the northern parts of Borno state.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.