Charity warns of growing aid crisis in Central African Republic
- 10 years ago
From makeshift shelters the displaced persons living in the M’Poko camp can watch the planes land at the airport in Bangui. Many of them carry aid for the displaced who have fled to the camp to escape the fighting in the Central African Republic.
Despite its proximity to the airport it has taken the first of the vital aid four weeks to reach the thousands. There is not enough water to go round and no toilets.
“Now its about 100,000 people living here in a very small area close to the airport. It’s hard to understand why so little aid has come to this population,” explained Lindis Hurum a field coordinator at the camp.
Estimates put the number of displaced in the country at around one million a quarter of the population. Half that number are from the capital. Some desperate for help are prepared to cross borders.
“It’s really sad, very sad. I was born here in the Central African Republic but I am forced to leave. I am leaving for Chad though I don’t know anyone there and have never been to Chad before. But I know I am going to be welcomed there,” said Ousman.
The conflict between Christians and Muslims in the landlocked former French colony has prompted the United Nations to warn the fighting could spiral into genocide.
Earlier this week the UN Security Council approved the deployment of European troops.
Despite its proximity to the airport it has taken the first of the vital aid four weeks to reach the thousands. There is not enough water to go round and no toilets.
“Now its about 100,000 people living here in a very small area close to the airport. It’s hard to understand why so little aid has come to this population,” explained Lindis Hurum a field coordinator at the camp.
Estimates put the number of displaced in the country at around one million a quarter of the population. Half that number are from the capital. Some desperate for help are prepared to cross borders.
“It’s really sad, very sad. I was born here in the Central African Republic but I am forced to leave. I am leaving for Chad though I don’t know anyone there and have never been to Chad before. But I know I am going to be welcomed there,” said Ousman.
The conflict between Christians and Muslims in the landlocked former French colony has prompted the United Nations to warn the fighting could spiral into genocide.
Earlier this week the UN Security Council approved the deployment of European troops.