Escalating banditry causes more displacement in Central African Republic

(New York/Bangui, 23 May 2008): An upsurge in attacks by armed bandits in the north of the Central African Republic since early 2008 has made banditry the major cause of new displacement in the country. Up to a third of an estimated 300,000 people who have been forced out of their homes have fled from bandit attacks.

Groups of between 10 and 30 armed men roam the northern areas of the country, assaulting and killing travellers and villagers, kidnapping children and adults, looting property, and burning homes and entire villages. In a disturbing new trend in recent months, bandits burn down whole villages, often in revenge for resistance by village self-defence groups.

In one violent incident in April, the bandits, locally known as coupeurs de route, attacked the village of Bogali in the northwest of the country, torching 57 out of 67 homes in that settlement. The health post was looted, and 700 of the 1,400 inhabitants of the village fled to the bush or to neighbouring towns.

'The indiscriminate and predatory attacks of bandits cost lives and destroy livelihoods. They are driving tens of thousands of people to the edge of survival,' said Catherine Bragg, United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. 'We need to make sure that victims have access to protection, shelter, and health services,' she added.

The majority of the 45,000 refugees from the Central African Republic who have sought safety in eastern Cameroon have fled from attacks by the ruthless bandits. More than 14,000 new refugees entered Chad in March and April alone. Tens of thousands of banditry victims have fled to nearby towns or are hiding in the bush.

Most economic activities have come to a standstill in areas affected by banditry. 'Fear of being attacked on the road keeps farmers and traders from travelling to sell their wares in towns,' said Toby Lanzer, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the country. 'People rely on aid agencies to provide seeds and tools, which are no longer available in the market. We also provide soap, basic household goods, and clothes to victims who have lost everything in an attack,' he added.

One million people across the north of the Central African Republic have been affected by conflict and criminal activity. Of these, 197,000 are internally displaced. An additional 108,000 Central Africans have fled to neighboring Cameroon, Chad and Sudan. United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations have launched an aid programme worth $96.8 million to address the humanitarian consequences of the violence in 2008. The programme is so far only 36 percent funded.

For further information, please call: Nancy Snauwaert, OCHA-CAR +236 75 54 2278 or snauwaert@un.org: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; John Nyaga, OCHA-NY, + 1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.