The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is sounding the alarm after the resurgence of security incidents against humanitarian agencies and personnel in the country, which have multiplied since the beginning of the year. Ocha denounces acts that can harm humanitarian assistance, in a country where 63% of the population will need humanitarian aid, according to the 2022 response plan.
No less than 69 security incidents affected humanitarian workers during the first five months of this year 2022. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Central African Republic does not hide its concern at the resurgence of attacks targeting humanitarian workers and their consequences. .
Last week was the worst if we stick to the words of the head of the Ocha office in the Central African Republic, Vedaste Kalima, with four armed attacks against humanitarian organizations which pushed two of them, the Intersos agency and Doctors of the World to suspend their activities in the northwest of the country. As a result, more than 46,000 vulnerable men, women and children, most of whom are internally displaced, can no longer access the food aid they urgently need.
These attacks on aid workers have so far resulted in one death, Doctors Without Borders worker killed by FACA member, the Central African armed forces, a week ago, as well as 16 wounded. ” This balance sheet is heavier than that of last year at the same time. “, alarmed Vedaste Kalima, who appeals “ respect for international humanitarian law “. ” It’s primordial “, he hammered.
As for those responsible for these crimes, Ocha does not want to say, but these attacks come at a time when there is increasing talk of a resurgence of rebel activity in several regions of the country.
OCHA press release: A resurgence of attacks against humanitarian workers threatens assistance to vulnerable populations pic.twitter.com/8aLRhLSUXw
— OCHA CAR (@OCHA_CAR) June 1, 2022