CAR: OCHA backs humanitarian aid to displaced populations with $13m

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has provided a $13 million grant to support humanitarian aid provided to more than seven thousand people internally displaced in the south of Central African Republic (CAR).

Mohamed Ag Ayoya, resident coordinator for the Central African country, made the announcement of the financing on World Humanitarian Day, on Saturday August 19.

The funds provided by a number of undisclosed donors will be used to support displaced populations at Zémio, Obo, Bambouti and Mboki, all of them in Mbomou (south and one of the CAR’s 16 prefectures).

Neighboring prefecture Haut-Mbomou where displaced populations stem from, according to the UN agency, is among most affected prefectures of the country by a decade of conflict and structural problems.

The region is also grappling with deteriorating security and humanitarian concerns. This month, the Agency said two armed groups have been clashing against the backdrop of community conflicts and control of resources, with devastating consequences for the population.

As result of clashes, more than 7,500 people fled their houses after they were burnt down. Some 2,500 of these people are said to have crossed the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo.