OCHA Situation Report
Central African Republic
16 November 2006


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Highlights

UN SG expressed deep concern on 10/11 about the worsening security
conditions in north-eastern CAR.  He called for an immediate end to the
operations of non-state armed groups, while stressing the need for a
comprehensive solution to the security problems along the borders of
Chad, CAR, and Sudan.

As of 16/11, non-state armed groups claimed control of three towns in
the country's north-east, allegedly occupied in progression: Birao,
Ouanda-Djalle, Sam-Ouandja and Ouadda.  France has reportedly agreed to
requests for military support from CAR.  Meanwhile the armed groups in
question have, according to media, called for dialogue with the
Government: accusing the President of running the country along ethnic
lines, they are believed to be offering to halt their offensive, if the
President should agree to share Government with them.

Recent armed operations by non-state groups in the country's north-east,
have caused an estimated 10,000 additional IDPs, many of whom fled south
to the town of Bria ? the next declared target of the armed groups in
question.  But between 5,000 and 10,000 people, according to local
sources, are in turn reported to have fled from Bria.

According to numerous sources, up to 20,000 people were left homeless in
the area of Kabo in northern CAR, after over 1,800 homes were destroyed
or burnt by conflict.

Sectors

Coordination and support services

An inter-agency multi-disciplinary mission visited CAR from 04/11 to
11/11, led by UN ASG Ibrahima Fall, hosted by the HC, and composed of
representatives of most UN agencies, NGO consortia, and donor
Governments. The mission visited Ouham and Ouham Pende; the areas most
affected by conflict, and Gore refugee camp in Chad.

The HC led a mission on 15/11/2006 to the north-eastern town of Bria,
allegedly the next target for the armed groups that reportedly control
three towns in the extreme north-east.  The one-day mission was composed
by UN agencies (WFP, WHO, UNDP), as well as ICRC, MSF-H, and one
representative from ECHO who travelled from Kinshasa.  Between 5,000 and
10,000 people including breeders are believed to have left the town
according to local sources, he said, adding that there was a climate of
fear among inhabitants.

United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) were inaugurated in CAR
on 01/11/2006 with a flight to the north-eastern town of Kaga-Bandoro.
The service, managed by WFP, will be operated by a ten-seater Caravan
208B propeller aircraft with call-sign UN59W.  It will offer daily
flights to destinations across the country, depending on needs.  At
least once weekly, a flight will also connect Bangui to Cameroon, from
where inter-continental flights leave daily (the landlocked African
country is otherwise badly connected to the world, with only one flight
to Europe per week).

Economic Recovery and Infrastructure

According to media, a visiting IMF mission declared on 11/11 that the
national economy performed better in 2006 than in 2005, and that a
growth rate of up to 4% can be expected for 2007.

The World Bank now has an interim Representative (designated) to CAR,
Mr. Jerome Chevalier.

Food Security

WFP, through its cooperating partner COOPI, is expected to complete its
emergency food distributions in the Paoua area by the end of November.
A total of 25,000 beneficiaries will have received 624 MT of food.

Through its nearly 500 school canteens located in the prefectures of
Basse-Kotto, Kemo, Nana-Grebizi, Nana-Mambere, Ouham, and Ouaka, WFP is
close to reaching its intended yearly target of 100,000 school children.

Multi-sector assistance and protection to refugees and IDPs

UNHCR trained of 32 humanitarian observers (of whom 2 women) from
Caritas, 24 of whom already started to monitor the situation of IDPs in
the areas of Batangafo, Kabo, Paoua, and Markounda.

UNHCR in partnership with the National Refugees Commission, conducted a
HIV awareness seminar for refugees in Bangui, from 13/11 to 15/11,
targeting up to 100 refugees.

25 refugees from DRC, Rwanda, and Sudan, were resettled on 14/11 to the
USA, in cooperation with IOM.

Protection and Rule of Law

The human rights section of BONUCA (the UN peace-consolidation mission
in CAR), with the Ministry for Social Affairs and NGOs advocating for
female rights, organized from 24/10 to 31/10 an awareness campaign in
Bangui, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of UN GA Resolution 1325 on
the issue of gender equality.

BONUCA has recruited a lawyer, who monitors trials against persons who
are unable to afford legal services.

Shelter and Non-Food Items

The ICRC completed distribution of essential NFIs to IDPs in the
country's north.  The operation, which had started in 07/2006, saw the
delivery of just over 177 MT of articles such as tents, blankets, and
soap. Approximately 100 families from 122 villages in the
sub-prefectures of Batangafo, Kabo, Markounda, and Paoua, benefited from
this effort, made possible thanks to partnership with the Central
African Red Cross.

Others

A mission of US-based advocacy NGO "Refugees International" arrived in
CAR on 14/11, to investigate the humanitarian impact of increasing
regional instability.  The mission, which is also visiting Chad, will
spend a week in the country's northern areas most affected by armed
conflict.

Did you know ?

- Only two international NGOs were present in CAR in early 2005, and
this has risen to eight today.

- 250,000 people are infected by HIV in CAR, where AIDS has caused over
140,000 to lose at least one parent.

- Donors have so far given or pledged USD 22.1M to the 2006 CAP, while
only USD 9.8M was received in 2005.

Forthcoming humanitarian events, missions, and activities

Mission to CAR by "Refugees International": Tuesday 14/11/2006 to
Saturday 25/11/2006.

Launch of the CAP 2007: Tuesday 12/12/2006, 08:30 ? SOS Village, Ouango,
Bangui.

Mission to CAR by IRIN: first half of December [TBC].

Workshop for the validation of the Criminal Code and the Code of
Criminal Procedure, supported by BONUCA: Tuesday 12/12/2006 to Thursday
14/12/2006.

If you have inputs for the next edition, or questions and comments on
this one, please contact: Maurizio Giuliano, Public Information Officer,
Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator, C.A.R. Email: giuliano@un.org

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -