UNHCR calls for safety of civilians in the Central African Republic
The UN refugee agency is alarmed at new displacement in the Central African Republic capital Bangui amid recent fighting in at least two areas of the city. We are calling on the authorities to take immediate action to protect civilians from harm and allow people to return to their homes.
Over the past ten days arbitrary arrests, detention, torture, extortion, armed robberies, physical violence, restriction of movement, lootings and attacks on civilians have displaced thousands of people. Those affected are mainly from the Boy-Rabe and Boeing neighbourhoods - and are currently seeking refuge in other parts of the capital.
So far, 10 people have reportedly been killed. The newly displaced are sheltered in hospitals and churches, or with relatives. Some 500 people have found shelter in the Hôpital d'Amitié, where overcrowding and deteriorating sanitary conditions are a major concern.
"UNHCR is deeply concerned for the safety of the civilian population, especially those who are forced to flee from their houses in search of safety. We urge the authorities to use all means to stop attacks against civilians, restore security and protect the population," said Liz Ahua, Deputy Director of UNHCR's Bureau for Africa
"Since last week, we are facing a confusing security situation. People are leaving their houses to escape violence and abuses," she added.
By Thursday morning, an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people, including many women and children fleeing insecurity and violence from Boeing district had taken refuge at Bangui International airport, blocking the runaway for air traffic and the rerouting of all flights to Douala, Cameroon.
There were already over 206,000 internally displaced people in the Central African Republic before the recent events.
For further information on this topic, please contact:
- In Bangui, Djerassem Mbaiorem on mobile +236 72 22 35 11
- In Geneva, Babar Baloch on mobile +41 79 557 9106
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Statement by Erika Feller, Assistant High Commissioner - Protection, at the Monash University Prato Centre: "Refugee Futures" Conference, 11 September 2009
11 Sep 2009 ... ... groups to seek their safety and security outside ... The second group of crises are the more isolated but multiplying situations evident, for example, in Central African Republic, Colombia, the ...... -
Introductory remarks by George Okoth-Obbo, Director, Regional Bureau for Africa, for "Overview of UNHCR's Operations in Africa"
4 Mar 2014 ... ... in exile the safety and protection they ... the kinds of adversities which Muslims are facing in the Central African Republic for which, at this stage, ... joined the strong calls being made for the ...... -
Statement by Volker Türk, Director of International Protection to the 65th Session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme
3 Oct 2014 ... and often call for collective responses. States long ago recognized the need for an independent entity to represent their collective interest in relation to matters of a fundamentally ...... -
Summary record - EC/73/SC/SR.4
8 Apr 2022 ... and norms of the United Nations charter, international law and the fundamental rules for international conduct in existence for 75 ... from the Central African Republic, which was due ...... -
Summary record - EC/73/SC/SR.5
8 Apr 2022 ... ... to ensure the safety of those refugees. 2. Encouraging progress had been made towards durable solutions in South Sudan; ... Congo and the flow of refugees from the Central African Republic. ...... -
Summary record A/AC.96/SR/748
24 Mar 2023 ... ... remain in their homes. 9. Mr. Nassin (Observer for Central African Republic) said that a window of opportunity had ... Despite the repeated calls of the ... against civilians and civilian ...... -
Note on International Protection
7 Jul 2004 ... an increase. 1 “Agenda for Protection”, endorsed by the ... Of particular concern is the ongoing situation in the Darfur region of Sudan where large numbers of civilians have been ...... -
Report of the fifty-eighth session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme (Geneva, 1-5 October 2007)
10 Oct 2007 ... at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, from 1 to 5 October ... Zambia. 4. The Governments of the following States were ... Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Croatia, ...... -
Note on International Protection
9 Jun 2004 ... This year’s Note takes as its basis the Agenda for Protection, 1 ... Of particular concern is the ongoing situation in the Darfur region of Sudan where large numbers of civilians have been ......