DISASTER DECLARATION: CAR DISPLACED PERSONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGUI 000050 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/C SSARDAR, MASHRAF, SLOPEZ, KWYCOFF PARIS FOR RKANEDA LONDON FOR PLORD AFRICOM FOR KOCH USAID FOR MSHIRLEY, TMCRAE, TDAULTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CT ECON PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION: CAR DISPLACED PERSONS 1.(SBU) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUESTED: Recent military action by the CAR military (FACA) in the Bamingui-Bangoran region of the Central African Republic (CAR) has displaced at least 8,800 people. AmEmbassy Bangui assessment visit has determined that food and livelihood security for the entire population has been severely affected and humanitarian indicators are in decline. The Ambassador believes an emergency exists and that a humanitarian response is beyond the capacity of the CAR government. U.S. Embassy requests USAID/OFDA assistance. END SUMMARY -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- 2.(SBU) AmEmbassy Bangui team, led by the Ambassador traveled to Bamingui-Bangoran from February 12 to 15 to assess humanitarian conditions. Information was gathered from host government, the local military, the UN, and NGO representatives in the field. On February 3, the FACA commenced operations in response to the rebel occupation of villages north of Ndele through to Ngarba on the border with Chad. The FACA proceeded north and killed an estimated 23 people in Sokoumba and burned the center of Akoursoubak. All the villages 20km north of Ndele have been abandoned with their inhabitants hiding in camps in the bush, on their way to Chad, or already there. UNHCR in Chad confirmed to Ambassador that they had registered over 6,000 refugees, mostly women and children, and that refugees continued to arrive at a rate of approximately 150-230 per day. AmEmbassy Bangui believes that as many as another 5,000 may still be hiding in the surrounding country. If they are unable to obtain relief in place, they will continue to make their way to Chad, adding to the humanitarian relief demand in that country. -------------- CURRENT SITUATION -------------- 3.(SBU) The primary conflict zone encompasses a 120 km corridor from Ndele to Ngarba and 17 out the 20 villages in corridor are empty. The fighting has caused a large scale dislodgment of inhabitants into the bush and across the border into Chad. Shelter, nutrition and sanitation conditions are critical and multiple cases of malaria, gunshots, chicken pox, dehydration, meningitis and yellow fever have been reported. Persons hiding in the bush have no access to clean water. At the same time, the displacement of the subsistence farmers has reduced the flow of food into Ndele, causing prices to rise sharply. 4.(SBU) Of an estimated 20,000 people in the area, 2,800 are already confirmed in bush IDP camps overseen by the International Medical Corps (IMC),the only NGO currently still in operation on the ground. This reality, in addition to the 6,000 people currently in Chad, points to an impending disaster. The IMC has documented 12 orphans and 108 unaccompanied or abandoned children. Importantly, the IDPs and refugees identified thus far are almost exclusively women and child, thus the true number of displaced people may be even larger. 5.(SBU) The United Nations has not sent a team to the area, citing security concerns and AmEmbassy Bangui has no information on when they may go. Waiting for their assessment should not be considered an option. The CARG Ministry of Health workers have fled and its five health centers in the area are closed. The IMC response is unfortunately limited to measles immunization, health education, hygiene promotion, and water purification. -------------- REGIONAL IMPACT -------------- 6.(SBU) The displacement of people into Chad will strain greatly BANGUI 00000050 002 OF 002 the already stressed UNHCR program. Their resources are limited and need augmentation if they are to handle the influx of refugees. Therefore, keeping people in the CAR is a priority, especially if this crisis turns into a longer term displacement. -------------- DISASTER DECLARATION -------------- 7.(SBU) ACTION REQUEST: The Ambassador declares that a disaster exists, it is beyond the capacity of the CARG and NGOs to respond, and that it is in the interest of the USG to provide assistance to displaced populations. Post requests the release of USD 500,000 under the Ambassador's Authority to purchase relief supplies to meet immediate shelter, health and sanitation needs. AmEmbassy Bangui along with USAID/Nairobi, USAID/OFDA and humanitarian partners will continue to closely monitor the situation and conduct assessments to determine any additional humanitarian needs. COOK