Life-saving relief needed by CAR refugees in Cameroon

The situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) has developed over the past year into a complex multi-faceted crisis. The military coup of March 2013 and the following Anti-Balaka insurrection from 5 December 2013 have increased the numbers of both refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

These refugees fled to Chad (93,563 people), to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (63,037 people), to the Republic of Congo (18,045) and to Cameroon (227,277 people). The internally displaced persons in CAR are estimated at 527,000.

The Government of Cameroon traditionally welcomes refugees and asylum seekers. The country has been hosting over 92,000 CAR refugees (2006 case) before the recent hostilities between Ex-Seleka rebels and Anti-Balaka militia. Massive human rights violations and escalation of violence caused a new influx from December 2013.

The majority of the newly arrived refugees (ca. 57%) are children of which about 20% are below five years of age. About 53% of the refugees are female and 3 % elderly persons. To address this emergency and accommodate the newly arrived refugees, the Government of Cameroon made seven sites available - six in the East region hosting 40,656 refugees and two in Adamaoua region with a total of 14,834 people. However, 67,096 refugees live outside the sites including 10,838 at the entry points and 56,258 in 308 host villages.

The newly arrived have lost their livelihoods, their livestock and without their traditional way of providing an income for their families. A response is needed to support those that have fled the fighting. These refugees have been affected in different ways and their coping mechanisms have been weakened as a result of the multi-faceted emergency which has included both the insurgency by Anti-Balaka as well as the Seleka military operation. It is unlikely that the situation will stabilize any sooner to facilitate a return to their communities.