UNHCR warns of risks to civilians in Central African Republic
The UN refugee agency said last week that new fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) was threatening the civilian population in the south-east of the country and jeopardizing UNHCR's access to refugees. According to UNHCR spokeswoman Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba, clashes between the Seleka rebels and the CAR military has restricted humanitarian access to around 5,300 refugees and more than 175,000 internally displaced persons.
Seleka rebels attacked and captured the town of Bangassou compromising a peace agreement signed two months ago. They are advancing eastwards towards the town of Zemio, where 3,300 refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reside.
“As well as presenting a security risk, the Seleka advance is further compromising our access to refugees and internally displaced populations. UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies have been forced to temporarily relocate some staff to Bangui, the capital. Although we still have some staff in place, services for refugees are nonetheless reduced”, said Lejeune-Kaba.
The UNHRC reiterates its call to the CAR government and the Seleka troops to make sure civilians remain unharmed and humanitarian aid access to those who needed is facilitated rather than endangered.
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