Central African Republic - DHA-01: 11.Jul.97
Central African Republic - DHA-01: 11.Jul.97
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
DHA Situation Report No.1
11 July 1997
Origin and Dimensions of the Crisis
1. Fierce clashes took place in the Central African capital of Bangui from 19
to 22 June 1997 between forces of the African Intervention Force (MISAB) and
mutineers from the Central African armed forces. Periodic mutinies among the
Central African military had already occurred several times since April 1996.
2. As a result of the most recent clashes, United Nations agencies
represented in the country estimate that as many as 100,000 persons had fled
the capital to seek refuge in villages and towns neighboring Bangui. During
the period immediately following clashes, approximately two-thirds of the
largest concentration of these persons, estimated at 80,000, was located
variously from 15 to 60 kilometers to the southwest of the capital. Others
remained within 15 kilometers of Bangui. Additional populations temporarily
relocated to points both to the North and Southeast of the capital.
3. 60 percent of the displaced were estimated to be women and children. Many
younger children, specifically those between the ages of 4 and 8 years,
initially lost contact with their parents. Vulnerable groups also included
pregnant and lactating women as well as the old and handicapped, estimated at
20 percent of the affected population.
4. The large influx of the displaced posed considerable problems for host
communities. Shortages of food, safe drinking water, medical care and
adequate shelter were common. This raised the danger of a number of public
health problems, particularly with regard to maternal and child care.
5. On 28 June, an initial attempt on the part of some groups of displaced to
move back to the capital was thwarted by renewed fighting. However, during
the ensuing period, mediations conducted by the head of the MISAB succeeded,
at least for a moment, in defusing the situation. On 8 July, a U.N.
multi-agency mission was dispatched to areas to the southwest of the capital
to reassess the situation. The mission noted that, with the exception of
some 5,000 to 10,000 persons, the displaced had returned home. Most of this
residual population is expected to follow suit upon completion of the
reintegration process for former mutineers scheduled for 10 July. A
committee chaired by the head of the MISAB will monitor progress.
6. With the return to a somewhat tentative period of calm, returnees will be
forced to cope with the immediate effects of the latest military
confrontation. As in the past incidents, many houses and shops in Bangui
have been damaged and looted. Hospitals and health centers have been
damaged, and there are shortages of medicines. Similarly, commodities in
local markets remain scarce.
7. On 27 June, the UN Resident Coordinator convened a meeting of the UN
agencies and a few NGOs to assess the humanitarian situation and prepare a
response. On 2 July, the Central African Government addressed to the
Secretary-General of the United Nations a request for international
humanitarian assistance for 100,000 persons. On 30 June, the former
President of Mali, Amadou Toumani Toure, as Head of the International
Follow-up Committee, created in January 1997 after the November 1996 crisis,
helped the Army dissidents and African peacekeepers to agree to a truce while
negotiating the conditions of formal cease-fire which started on 3 July.
Initial United Nations Response
8. To date, concerned United Nations Agencies have been able to address most
humanitarian requirements by either mobilizing resources from their
respective emergency funds or by reprogramming other available cash and
supply assistance.
a) United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - Up to USD 200,000 have been
earmarked for the purchase of food items.
b) United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-DHA) -- With the
concurrence of the Norwegian Government, DHA reallocated a contingency stock
of food and shelter items (valued at USD 151,672) contributed by the
Norwegian Government following the November 1996 floods, for emergency
assistance to IDPs, to be distributed through appropriate UN agencies.
c) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) -- UNICEF has reprogrammed USD
49,000 to address various non-food sector requirements (notably health and
nutritional interventions).
d) World Food Programme (WFP) -- WFP has allocated USD 200,000 to cover
immediate food aid requirements and to assist in the transport of returnees.
9. As required, further updates of the situation will be issued by the U.N.
Department of Humanitarian Affairs. Governments or organizations interested
in obtaining more detailed information should contact the respective U.N.
agency headquarters or field offices (UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP) or DHA
headquarters in either Geneva (Inter-Agency Support Branch) or New York
(Complex Emergency Division).
Telephone numbers: DHA New York +1-212-963-1627
DHA Geneva +41-22-917-1234
Fax numbers: DHA New York +1-212-963-1388
DHA Geneva +41-22-917-0023
Desk Officers: DHA New York (Complex Emergency Division):
Mr. Yvon Madore, direct tel: 1-212-963-1627
DHA Geneva (Inter-Agency Support Branch):
Mr. Arjun Katoch, direct tel: +41-22-917-1401
Media to contact: Ms. M. Moulin-Acevedo, direct tel: +41-22-917-2856
Internet: info@dha.unicc.org
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