With nearly 10 per cent of the Central African Republic’s population of 4.5 million currently living in exile, UNHCR fears that the number of refugees fleeing the country’s conflict may reach as high as 460,000 by year’s end or even surpass that estimated number. “UNHCR is extremely concerned that violence in the Central African Republic will continue and that the number of people forced to flee their homes will grow,” Ms. de Gruijl told reporters. She noted that recent violence in the CAR’s Kouango district, some 300 kilometres from the capital of Bangui, had reportedly send thousands of refugees fleeing into the most remote areas of the DRC’s Equateur province. “Refugees who manage to cross into the DRC are telling us stories of their villages being burnt, violence and murder,” she continued. “Some refugees arrive wounded including with bullet wounds.” Ms. de Gruijl confirmed that an emergency evaluation team had just returned from the banks of the Oubangui River in the DRC, where many refugees had settled, and was “working on a plan to relocate the refugees away from the border, so that they are safer and can receive humanitarian assistance.” Nonetheless, she added, the bulk of refugees fleeing the CAR had fled west to Cameroon and north to Chadun.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49889#.VMPhsMv0DqA
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:18:14 +0000
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