ReliefWeb

Situation overview

By early September 2013, increased clashes between ex-Seleka rebels and anti-Balaka groups in Central African Republic (CAR) resulted in rising levels of violence and human rights abuses and violations and triggered massive displacement of the population. Houses have been looted and burned, forcing the population to seek refuge in health centres, churches and mosques, schools and also in the airport of the capital, Bangui. Continued violence targeting civilian populations, including Chadian nationals, reached an ethnic-religious dimension pushing the Chadian authorities to rescue their nationals in CAR.

In October 2013, the government of Chad has requested the support of IOM (International Organization for Migration) in providing evacuation as well as post-arrival assistance to Chadian nationals stranded in CAR. In addition to returnees’ registration upon arrival in Chad, in December 2013, IOM has started airlifting evacuation operations from Bangui to N’Djamena. Up to the 27 January 2014, 72 flights have been operating from Bangui to N’Djamena (61 flights organised by the Government and 11 flights by IOM). On 30 December 2014, in order to accelerate the evacuations of Chadian nationals stranded in CAR, particularly those living outside Bangui, 20 military vehicles have also been sent by the Government of Chad, these vehicles have transported returnees up to the Southern locations of Logone Oriental and Moyen Chari. Spontaneous movements have also been registered with Chadian nationals arriving in other entry points, namely Mbitoye and Bessao (southwest of Logone oriental). On 3 January 2014 the government of Chad has launched an appeal to the international community in order to provide relief assistance to returnees from CAR.

Up to the 27 January 2014 33,673 returnees in total have been registered in N’Djamena (13,762) and the South (19,911 in Gore, Sido, Sarh, Doba and Mbitoye). A number of 3,500 refugees (*) has also been registered within this group as well as Third Country Nationals (TCNs) from other countries (numbers to be confirmed). The number of returnees continues to increase as the situation in CAR is far from getting stable. According to the government of Chad, more than 300,000 Chadians were living in CAR before the crisis and it is expected that returns will continue in the weeks to come. According to UNICEF and Ministry of Social Affairs, as of 20 January 2014, these 42,000 returnees are sheltering in several transit centres in N’Djamena (13,318) and close to the main entry points in the South of Chad, namely Goré (2,717), Doba (2646), Bitoye (4,150), Sido (14,092), Doyaba (4,225), Mondou (700) and Mbaibigun (850).