West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (27 December 2016 - 2 January 2017)

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

OVER 2,000 DISPLACED BY FRESH UNREST
Since 22 December, 2,721 displaced people from around 20 villages have fled to Poudjo town in the country’s central region following recent armed clashes. According to the displaced and the local authorities, many people are still hiding in the bush.
Humanitarian response is being organized and a site to host the displaced is being planned. In the meantime the authorities are encouraging the displaced to remain with the host families.

ATTACKERS RAID AID GROUP’S PREMISES
Armed assailants raided the base of an international NGO on New Year’s Day in the eastern Haut-Mbomou prefecture and stole money and other equipment. No one was injured in the incident, the latest in a string of attacks against humanitarian organizations in the country.

DR CONGO

HEAVY FLOODING KILLS AT LEAST 50
Heavy flooding sparked by torrential rains and surging river waters on 26 - 27 December killed at least 50 people and left thousands more homeless in the country’s south-western region. The heavy rains caused the Kalamu river, which flows through the city of Boma into the River Congo, to overflow for two hours before the waters receded. The waters left parts of the city covered in up to a metre of mud. The search for victims that may have been buried continues.

MALI

AID WORKER KIDNAPPED IN GAO
An aid worker was kidnapped on 24 December in the northern Gao town by unknown assailants. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Insecurity and attacks have persisted in Mali’s restive northern region, complicating aid operations and restricting the movement of civilians and daily livelihood activities.

NIGERIA

SUICIDE BLAST HITS CATTLE MARKET
A suicide bomber attacked a cattle market on 26 December in the north-eastern Borno state. Police said the female bomber, who struck the Kasuwan Shanu market in Kasuwa locality, was the only person killed in the blast. A second would-be bomber was lynched by a mob, according to the police.
The attack came two days after President Muhammadu Buhari said that the army had captured Boko Haram’s last enclave in Borno’s Sambisa forest. However, suspected members of the group have continued to stage suicide bombings in north-eastern Nigeria and in neighbouring Niger and Cameroon.