Nairobi/Geneva: March 27th 2013: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today launched an emergency appeal to provide urgent assistance to thousands of refugees from Central African Republic (CAR) who have crossed into Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to escape fighting in their home country.
Since the overthrow of the CAR government by Seleke forces on Sunday March 24, 2013, an estimated 5,000 people have fled to safety in DRC. That is on top of the 22,100 CAR refugees who arrived in DRC over the past year. Most have settled on the bank of the Ubangi river in the northwest part of the country. Others are living with host families, which are already strapped for resources. Further assessments indicate more refugees are expected to arrive in the coming days.
“They are living in dire conditions,” says Josuane Tene, regional disaster management coordinator at IFRC. “People have the bare minimum as far as basic household items, access to clean water, access to health, access to food. For now they are managing to survive on what fish the river provides them. But with the rainy season under way, the uncertainty in CAR, and the strain on local resources, these people will need continued support in the medium to long term.
The majority of refugees are children, ranging in age from 2 to 14. Unconfirmed reports indicate as many as 2,000 may be unaccompanied. “These children became separated from their parents during the conflict,” says Colin Chaperon, leader of the IFRC field assessment and coordination team, seconded from the American Red Cross. “They have the same needs as everyone else, but they are also suffering from nightmares. For their overall mental and emotional well being it is critical that we work with the local Red Cross to re-unite them with their families as soon as possible.
Beyond the day-to-day subsistence of families, public service infrastructure such as community health posts and their limited supplies are also being strained. At the moment, people are having to travel long distances to access existing health care services.
The IFRC emergency appeal seeks CHF 1,122,910 to support DRC RC to assist 15,000 people for six months. Funding will support Red Cross staff and volunteers in providing non-food items, emergency shelter, water, sanitation and healthcare services to refugees. The Red Cross will also focus on re-uniting families who have become separated while escaping the conflict.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit www.ifrc.org. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
For more information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
In Democratic Republic of Congo:
- Nelly Tangua Tangayani, director of communications, DRC RC
Mobile: (+243) 999673168 – E-mail: nellymanou@yahoo.fr/tangua-nelly@croix-rougerdc.org
In Addis Ababa:
- Katherine Mueller, communications manager, IFRC Africa
Mobile: +251 930 03 3413 – E-mail : katherine.mueller@ifrc.org
In Yaounde:
- Mirabelle Enaka, regional communications manager, IFRC central Africa
Mobile: +237 77 09 31 18 – E-mail : mirabelle.enaka@ifrc.org
In Geneva:
- Jessica Sallabank, media relations officer, IFRC
Mobile: +41 799 481 148 – E-mail : jessica.sallabank@ifrc.org