缅北禁地

The United Nations humanitarian chief called on all those involved in the violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) to end the hostilities and immediately allow the resumption of assistance.

In a听听issued in New York, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O鈥橞rien said he is 鈥渆xtremely alarmed鈥� by the recent upsurge in violence and by attacks on humanitarian premises.

The capital, Bangui, had been the scene of attacks against civilians, violence between communities and attacks against humanitarian personnel since a young Muslim man was murdered on 26 September. More than 30 people have been killed and over 100 have been wounded in the violence.

Mr. O鈥橞rien said that ongoing violence by armed groups is preventing humanitarian organizations from reaching more than 42,000 women, men and children who have fled for their lives in the past few days in Bangui.

鈥淧eople are living without the most basic necessities because humanitarian NGOs [non-governmental organizations] and 缅北禁地agencies cannot reach them,鈥� he said.

On Wednesday, the offices of international and national NGOs and an international humanitarian agency were looted. Some humanitarian staff have been forced to relocate for their own safety.

鈥淎s in the past, humanitarian organizations are determined to stay and deliver for the people of CAR,鈥� stated Mr. O鈥橞rien, who is also 缅北禁地Emergency Relief Coordinator.

He added that outside Bangui, the situation is also deteriorating, with movements of armed groups spreading panic amongst the population. Across the country, more than 412,000 people have fled their homes. Some 2.7 million people, more than half the population, depend on humanitarian aid to survive.

鈥淭his recent outbreak of violence is a huge setback for CAR and for the international community,鈥� Mr. O鈥橞rien said.

鈥淚 call on all those involved to end the violence and to allow the resumption of humanitarian assistance immediately,鈥� he stated, noting that deliberately impeding access to those in need is a violation of international law.

Also today, the 缅北禁地peacekeeping mission in the country () reported that the situation in the capital remains relatively calm but tense in the last 24 hours with sporadic looting activity. It continues to take measures to prevent a further deterioration of the situation in order to ensure protection of civilians and safe passage along key axis routes within Bangui.