According to UN officials who recently visited a border town in the Central African Republic, approximately 9,700 individuals have crossed over from Sudan into the country, and it is expected that more will follow. Of those who have arrived, around one-third are Central African nationals returning to their home country. While some have been welcomed by local families, others have been forced to create makeshift camps in the vicinity of the town of Am Dafok.
“We are currently discussing with the minister who will decide on behalf of the government where this population will be settled,” said Mohamed Ag Ayoya, the UN’s top humanitarian official in the country.
The situation in Am Dafok town is less than ideal, especially as the rainy season has begun this month, and the area is susceptible to flooding. The World Health Organization (WHO) is particularly concerned about the risk of disease outbreaks, especially malaria. Malnutrition is also a worrying issue, as weakened individuals are more susceptible to illness.
“We are already starting to take care of the sick, at least in relation to this. We are trying to see if we can provide mosquito nets so that people can at least protect themselves against malaria,” Gervais Tengomo, an emergencies officer with the WHO said.
“We are also intensifying surveillance to be able to quickly detect a possible epidemic and to be able to control it as quickly as possible,” he added.
Central African Republic has many troubles of its own. The UN say more than half the population is “in need of assistance and protection.”
It’s been enduring its own civil war for several years which has kept it amongst the ten poorest countries in the world.
The UN says around 120,000 people also need food assistance there.