UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator moved by IDP conditions in Central African Republic

(Bangui/New York, 28 July 2009): On the second day of a mission to the Central African Republic (CAR), Catherine Bragg, United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs visited Kabo, an area in the north of the country, where she spoke with internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in deplorable conditions.

"I was very moved by what I was told by the people who fled into the bush because they feared for their safety," said Bragg. "The conditions are totally deplorable; no shelter, little food, no water, no medical services. Parents are worried about children who are hungry and sick."

"We, the humanitarian community, are trying to bring aid to these people, but it's not easy. We also call on those in power to follow through on the peace agreement and to contribute to peace and security of this area, and to alleviate the level of fear of the populations so that they can return home and to normal life," she added.

Ms. Bragg visited Kabo accompanied by the country directors of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Ms. Bragg also met with representatives of humanitarian organizations working in the area, including those from UN agencies and international non-governmental organizations Médecins Sans Frontières and Solidarité. She also met representatives from the local authorities.

On Tuesday afternoon, Ms. Bragg travelled to the northwestern town of Paoua, where she will on 29 July, inspect humanitarian projects, meet humanitarian workers based there and visit displaced persons camps before departing for the capital, Bangui.

After a period of increasing stability in 2008 in CAR, this year has seen a resurgence in violence and displacement across northern regions of the country. There have been clashes among armed groups and increased displacement in some areas.

For further information, please call: Katy Thiam, OCHA-Chad, +235 620 15 42, thiamk@un.org; Boris Ngouagouni OCHA-CAR, + 236 70 18 80 61, ngouagouni@un.org; Nicholas Reader, OCHA-New York, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org ; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org .OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int For more information about CERF, please see http://cerf.un.org