Impact of Sudan crisis in the Central African Republic (Flash Update 2 Jun 2023)

 

ReliefWeb Situation Report

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HIGLIGHTS

  • Relocation of asylum-seekers from Am-Dafock to Birao has started

  • The humanitarian community is preparing an addendum to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to adapt the response

  • More than 13,800 people, including Central African returnees have preventively fled from Sudan to Am-Dafock in CAR.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Following the extent of humanitarian needs and the specific dynamics of the region hosting Sudanese asylum seekers and Central African returnees as established by the assessment mission led by the Humanitarian Coordinator in early May, the humanitarian community is preparing an addendum to the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan to adapt the response. Of the 130,000 people in need in the northern region of the country, the addendum will target 25,000 people most affected by the crisis in Sudan in need of immediate assistance, namely IDPs and the host population, complementing the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The above-mentioned situation in Am-Dafock was also the subject of a press briefing that the Humanitarian Coordinator held upon returning from the mission to Bangui, of a debriefing with the Humanitarian Country Team, and of a briefing with the diplomatic corps and donors.

As a result of insecurity along the border area, traffic between Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) has been severely disrupted, causing a sharp increase in the price of basic commodities. Sudan supplies several towns in CAR, particularly Birao in the Vakaga Prefecture and Ndélé in the Bamingui-Bangoran Prefecture. During the rainy season from April to October, access is very challenged and supplies largely depend on Sudan. For some items, prices have doubled. A 50-kg bag of sugar, which sold for XAF 40,000 before the conflict is now worth XAF 80,000 in Birao. A small bowl of millet that used to cost XAF 500 is now worth XAF 1,000.

The northern region of CAR was already experiencing acute food insecurity, a situation that is projected to reach one of its most severe stages by August if an adequate response is not forthcoming.

13,824 people, including 3,456 Central African returnees have preventively crossed the border from Sudan and are living in host families and spontaneous settlements in Am-Dafock, CAR. Women and children constitute 98 per cent of asylum seekers and 87 per cent of returnees. Their number is expected to increase as the security situation in Nyala remains volatile and registration is underway, including consolidation of lists between Government partners and the UNHCR. Some people continue pendular movements between their homes in Sudan and Am-Dafock in CAR. The Humanitarian Coordinator, the Minister of Interior and Public Security, and United Nations Agencies' senior officials travelled to Am-Dafock early in May to better undestand the dynamics of the situation in the border region and related humanitarian needs, including protection, ongoing response and gaps.

Am-Dafock is in a flood-prone area and with the rainy season that started in May, access will be extremely limited. The humanitarian community is working hard to ensure that those in need receive required assistance in a timely manner, including in adapting logistical arrangements.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

On 29 May, humanitarian partners started asylum-seekers' relocation from Am-Dafock to Birao, a safer area identified by authorities further away from the border with Sudan. So far, 180 people have relocated.

In May, 4,7 tons of emergency air cargo left the capital Bangui to Birao to scale up the humanitarian response. The cargo, which complements a pre-existent stock prepositioned in Birao, was transported by the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) and included medicines, water supplies, emergency shelters and essential non-food items from the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The emergency air cargo is part of a stock prepositioning plan that humanitarian actors implement each year in the northern CAR where access is extremely limited during the rainy season that started in May. This year, the process has been speeded up in response to the humanitarian needs arose from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, and is continuing through the road with other supplies, including food.

NGOs, UN agencies, and other international organizations are continuing to distribute food, essential household items, providing clean water, building emergency shelters and latrines, providing health care, and running a listening center where hygiene and other essential items are provided. To contain the increase in medical consulations, a hangar was set up in the Am-Dafock health center compound, supply of medicines for more than three months was provided, and additional medical staff arrived to help. However, additional shelters and latrines are still needed.

According to the UNHCR's Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP), US$ 34.5 million are required to respond to preliminary needs of 25,000 people coming from Sudan, including 15,000 returnees, for six months. The RRP will cover in its first phase the most urgent needs at entry points including protection, namely pre-registration, protection and border monitoring, advocacy and training to preserve the humanitarian and civilian character of asylum, identification of and assistance to people with specific needs, including unaccompanied children, older persons and pregnant women; hot meals and food distribution; emergency and community shelters; mobile clinics, medical consultations, psychosocial support, nutrition screening, treatment and prevention of malnutrition; emergency education services, including child-friendly spaces, school supply support, advocacy for school registration and exams; provision of drinking water, latrines, hygiene and sanitation; and distribution of core relief items. In its second phase, the RRP will consist of relocating asylum-seekers away from the border to mitigate protection risks, and implementing protection and assistance activities.

On a flexible basis, Canada announced a CAD$ 10 million grant to allow partners in CAR to adapt and scale-up the humanitarian response as the situation evolves. The funding will help people meet their basic needs, including by providing food assistance, protection, water, sanitation and hygiene services and health services.

BACKGROUND ON HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN CAR

Humanitarian needs were already severe in CAR with 3.4 million people - 56 per cent of the population - in need of assistance and protection. The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which aims to assist 2.4 million of the most vulnerable Central Africans, is only 27% funded. The capacity to absorb additional needs is very limited.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.



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