UN relief official calls for end to Central African Republic violence

In a statement issued in New York, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien said he is “extremely alarmed” by the recent upsurge in violence and by attacks on humanitarian premises.

The capital, Bangui, had been the scene of attacks against civilians, violence between communities and attacks against humanitarian personnel since a young Muslim man was murdered on 26 September. More than 30 people have been killed and over 100 have been wounded in the violence.

O’Brien said that ongoing violence by armed groups is preventing humanitarian organizations from reaching more than 42,000 women, men and children who have fled for their lives in the past few days in Bangui.

“People are living without the most basic necessities because humanitarian NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and UN agencies cannot reach them,” he said.

On Wednesday, the offices of international and national NGOs and an international humanitarian agency were looted. Some humanitarian staff have been forced to relocate for their own safety.

“As in the past, humanitarian organizations are determined to stay and deliver for the people of CAR,” stated O’Brien, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.

He added that outside Bangui, the situation is also deteriorating, with movements of armed groups spreading panic amongst the population.

Across the country, more than 412,000 people have fled their homes. Some 2.7 million people, more than half the population, depend on humanitarian aid to survive.

“This recent outbreak of violence is a huge setback for CAR and for the international community,” O’Brien said.

“I call on all those involved to end the violence and to allow the resumption of humanitarian assistance immediately,” he stated, noting that deliberately impeding access to those in need is a violation of international law.

Also on Friday, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MINUSCA) reported that the situation in the capital remains relatively calm but tense in the last 24 hours with sporadic looting activity.

It continues to take measures to prevent a further deterioration of the situation in order to ensure protection of civilians and safe passage along key axis routes within Bangui.

Photo: OCHA/Gemma Cortes.