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CAR: Almost 150 more wounded and thousands more displaced following renewed violence in Bangui

24 Dec 2013
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Central African Republic
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Following days of relative calm as international forces attempt to disarm armed groups in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic, on 20th December renewed violence prompted waves of wounded once more to arrive at Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) projects around the city.  The last 4 days, MSF has received close to 200 wounded in total. This violence has also prompted thousands of people to swell the various displaced people’s camps where MSF is working due to this insecurity, worsening the already appalling living conditions.

This violence is the latest in an outbreak that began on 5th December, when massive clashes resulted in 190 wounded being brought to l’Hopital Communautaire, the main hospital in Bangui, where MSF is currently handling emergencies. This violence only aggravates a chronic emergency humanitarian situation that has persisted in the Central African Republic for years. 

"In the days leading up to the 20th, we had seen fewer cases overall, and in particular a reduction in gunshot wounds,” said Jessie Gaffric, project coordinator at the hospital. “Then, on December 20th we saw 49 gunshot wounds, and now continue to receive around 15 a day.”

As more and more people flee their homes and seek security in the displaced peoples camps around the city, the number of lower respiratory tract infections MSF is seeing has doubled. At its field hospital in the displaced camp at Bangui airport, approximately 16% of the 450 daily consultations are now related to such infections.

“The lack of shelter and other aid provided to this population is making them sick,” said Lindis Hurum, field coordinator at the project. “The deteriorating living conditions in the camp are clear from the cases we are seeing. We continue to call on other agencies to step up their efforts to improve conditions in the camp, or they will continue to suffer and we will continue to see the consequences in our projects.”