IDP Batangafo camp attack kills five and generates further displacement in the Central African Republic.

Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic Aurélien Agbénonci (2nd left), visits an IDP camp in Kaga Bandoro. Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic Aurélien Agbénonci (2nd left), visits an IDP camp in Kaga Bandoro. © MINUSCA/Nektarios Markogiannis

10 November 2015
The Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in Batangafo has suffered a revenge attack by rebel fighters. 

The camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Central African Republic (CAR) town of Batangafo was struck by a revenge attack on November 10, 2015. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports rebel fighters raided the camp to avenge the death of two Muslim men that were murdered earlier that day. 

Rebel fighters fired shots, torched buildings, and killed civilians throughout the camp. UNHCR reports the attack destroyed a youth centre, damaged 730 huts, and killed five people. Over 5,500 IDPs escaped the violence and fled to safer locations that included a camp for United Nations peacekeepers and a compound for Médicins Sans Frontiéres (Doctors Without Borders). UNHCR Deputy Representative for CAR condemned the attack and called on “all actors to restore the calm and respect the civilian and humanitarian character of IDP camps.”

CAR has suffered from increased insecurity and violence throughout the region over the last several months. UNHCR estimates the country has an internally displaced population of approximately 399,000 since last month and almost 460,000 people have fled to surrounding countries. Aid is limited for those remaining in the country. The International Committee of the Red Cross reports hundreds of sick children and pregnant women lack the necessary medical attention because they are unable to access it. The destruction of homes and medical facilities restricts health-care personnel’s ability to aid victims. Despite the challenges, the United Nations stressed humanitarian actors are committed to providing lifesaving assistance.

To read more, visit:

http://www.unhcr.org/564357fc6.html
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=52573#.VkwdVq6rSXQ
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.aspNewsID=52522&&Cr=Central%20African%20Republic&&Cr1=#.VkSJ1UYYGag
http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/11/11/5-000-flee-central-african-republic-camp-after-rebel-attack
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/central-african-republic-bangui-call-for-respect-human-dignity-violence

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