An estimated 2.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the Central African Republic.

Fred Dufour, AFP

Key Developments

Due to increased violence in northwestern and southeastern Central African Republic (CAR), the number of internally displaced persons countrywide has reached approximately 534,000 people, the highest since July 2014. In addition, local authorities in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reported that approximately 60,000 individuals fled from CAR to DRC in May and June.

Violent attacks on humanitarian personnel and assets in recent months have led relief actors to suspend operations in parts of central and southeastern CAR, reducing access to food and health care services for tens of thousands of people, the UN reports.

The USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network anticipates that Crisis—IPC 3—levels of food insecurity will persist until at least January 2018 for vulnerable populations across CAR.

Background

In opposition to then-President François Bozizé, the Séléka armed opposition alliance entered the capital city of Bangui on March 24, 2013, effectively seizing control of the country and triggering a period of widespread violence. Security conditions deteriorated further in December 2013 when clashes erupted between the now-dissolved Séléka alliance and anti-Balaka groups composed of armed fighters that opposed ex- Séléka forces. Following a nearly three-year transitional period, CAR held presidential elections in December 2015 and February 2016, resulting in the election of President Faustin-Archange Touandéra. Conflict between armed groups has persisted across much of CAR in 2017; however, armed groups have fragmented and reformed among various alliances, complicating the ongoing crisis.

The security situation throughout CAR remains volatile, with continued attacks against civilians, humanitarian workers, and peacekeeping forces. While relief agencies are working to assist conflict-affected populations, ongoing insecurity and logistical constraints have impeded humanitarian operations, particularly in more remote areas of CAR.