The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs published an update on the security situation in the Central African Republic and its effects on health and other sectors. Since the March 24 coup the security situation continues to deteriorate, particularly in Bangui, and is impeding humanitarian operations.
Since April 13, altercations between Seleka members and the civilian population have resulted in deaths and severe injuries. A rocket that exploded in a church in Bangui on April 14 killed seven people and injured another eleven children. There are over 133,000 internally displaced persons, with another 33,000 refugees registered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since December 2012.
Some of the health-related updates in the report include the following:
- The Seleka’s disarmament operation in Bangui led to 40 deaths and many injured, particularly in the Boy-Rabe neighborhood.
- On April 7, a UNICEF-chartered flight carrying essential drugs, obstetric supplies, and water tanks arrived in Bangui. The emergency medical kits carried on this flight will be used to treat around 200,000 people affected by the conflict for the next three months.
- All 21 health facilities in Bangui have received emergency medical kits, and medical organizations continue to provide technical and material support.
- An assessment in eight districts of Bangui revealed the lack of health personnel and medications. The health services that were previously provided have been interrupted and the number of patients needing health services has increased.
Read the full report:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA%20Situation%20Report_CAR_19%20April%202013.pdf