West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (23 - 29 October 2018)

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

GUNMEN AMBUSH FOOD AID CONVOY

Armed attackers on 25 October accosted a food aid convoy from the capital Bangui to Paoua town in the north-west and robbed the truckers of their belongings. The convoy managed to reach its destination despite the ambush, the eighth of its kind in the area since the start of the year. Attacks on aid workers and humanitarian operations are recurrent in several parts of the country where armed groups operate.

CHAD

NUMBER OF CHADIAN REFUGEES IN DARFUR DROPS

The number of Chadian refugees in Darfur has reduced significantly compared to early 2018 (by about 43 per cent). More than 3,200 refugees have returned to Chad from Darfur since February. Currently, there are some 4,200 Chadian refugees in Darfur compared to 7,447 in January. Darfur hosts around 128,500 South Sudanese refugees and 3,400 refugees from the Central African Republic.

DR CONGO

OVER 282,000 RETURN FROM ANGOLA

Most of the Congolese nationals expelled from Angola this month have settled with host families. Food, protection, education, health and essential household items are the main needs. A total of 304,757 people expelled from Angola had arrived in Kasai province as of 25 October, according to Government figures. Some 34,000 of them arrived in Luiza locality. The influx is overstretching local resources. The price of the staple maize, for instance, is on the rise due to higher demand.

MALI

NGOS CALL FOR BETTER SECURITY IN MENAKA

Seven international aid groups on 29 October voiced concern over persistent insecurity in the north-eastern Menaka town. Since the start of 2018, there have been at least 28 incidents against the NGO staff in Menaka region, making it one of the most dangerous areas to work in Mali. The NGOs called on all leaders and decision-makers to quickly find and commit to a solution for a safer and more peaceful environment for all. In June, six International NGOs in Menaka suspended operations due to insecurity.

NIGERIA

ATTACKERS KILL 13, DISPLACE 1,300

Armed assailants on 20 October killed 13 people in a series of attacks that forced at least 1,300 people to flee their homes. Armed with guns and machetes, the attackers ambushed farmers in the fields in Kalle village in Borno state, killing 12 and wounding three.
Three other villages were attacked and one person killed and several houses torched.
Civilians have increasingly come under attack in recent months. The armed attackers have also hit military targets