Basse-Kotto, 22 April 2022 (TDI): UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the Central African Republic (CAR), Denise Brown condemned the recent attacks on healthcare workers.
She stressed the need for security for humanitarians to access vulnerable people in the Southern part of the country. The total population of CAR is around 5 million; nearly half of it is dependent on humanitarian aid for survival.
📢6 aid workers injured in the #CARCrisis – the Humanitarian Coordinator strongly condemns two attacks on #humanitarians. “Every time humanitarians come under attack, the lives of thousands of vulnerable people are at risk.”https://t.co/gT34G5grzY@OCHAROWCA @ONUinfo @cco_rca
— OCHA CAR (@OCHA_CAR) April 20, 2022
The security incidents impede the provision of assistance. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) statistics, 63% of the total population will need help this year.
2.2 million people have severe needs and can not survive without these organizations’ assistance, protection, and support. According to the report, six aid workers and health district workers were injured in two recent attacks.
One humanitarian organization has suspended its mobile clinics and activities to improve access to clean water for 11,000 people in remote areas of Basse-Kotto prefecture due to these attacks.
“Every time humanitarians come under attack, the lives of thousands of vulnerable people are at risk. Aid workers who assist people under extremely difficult conditions must not be attacked,” said Denise Brown while expressing her shock and grief over these attacks.
Challenges to the security of Humanitarians
In the year 2021, nearly 183 attacks on humanitarian workers occurred worldwide. 41% of the casualties resulted in the death of the humanitarians. These attacks pose a significant risk to the vulnerable communities.
Aid workers encounter numerous challenges in CAR. Forty-three incidents against humanitarian organizations have been recorded during the first four months of this year. Eleven aid workers have been injured in security breaches like burglaries, robberies, and intrusion.
“Civilians are the primary victims of the conflict in the Central African Republic, and humanitarian assistance is a matter of life and death for millions of people.
Humanitarians who come to their rescue in a neutral and impartial manner must be granted free and safe access,” said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator.
