Several decades of unresolved conflicts has culminated in a state of sustained unrest in the CAR. This has resulted in her citizens fleeing their homes and villages in thousands.
This situation has made refugees of the people of CAR in neighbouring countries, such as Chad, Cameroon, Republic of Congo and the Democratic republic of Congo.
Since march 2013, about 900,000 people have fled CAR due to violence and unrest resulting from a coup.
The violence in CAR has been reported to be subsiding and the number of people crossing the border to neighbouring countries has reduced, however, the people are reluctant to go back home and more people still trickle into neighbouring countries from CAR, from time to time.
The last mass movement of people from CAR began about 5 months ago (November 2014) resulting from violence in North-western CAR.
Some of the host nations, especially Chad are currently food insecure. The influx of refugees from CAR and even Nigeria has worsened the food insecurity in these areas and has stretched available local resources beyond its limit.
Cameroon has reported more than 35,000 refugees in the 2 year period since March 2013 including the recent 19000 plus people that crossed the border into Cameroon in February of 2015. Since 2006, Cameroon has been home to about 92000 refugees from CAR.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has become home to more than 80000 CAR refugees since March 2013.
About half of the 900000 CAR refugees have been said to be distributed in the surrounding nations.
"Life is hard for us" the refugees complain. Many of them remain homeless, hungry and severely malnourished.
Malaria, water borne diseases like diarrhea and Cholera have been reported amongst them as they remain without access to basic amenities such as clean water and health facilities.
Very few of the children can attend school.
The EPI vaccination schedule has also been disrupted, leaving the refugees as well as host communities susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases.
The citizens of the host nations are feeling the impact of this influx as food prices and house rent have increased due to increasing demand.
Obviously an enormous strain is being placed on the limited available resources.
Obviously an enormous strain is being placed on the limited available resources.
Cases of gender based violence has also been reported amongst the refugees. The MSF has said that many more cases go unreported.
Many humanitarian organizations have been helping to curb the crisis and relieve the suffering of the refugees.
UNICEF, WHO, UNHCR, UNFPA, World Vision, and ADES to mention a few.
However a lot still needs to be done.
Children of host communities as well as refugees have been found to be suffering from severe and acute malnutrition (SAM).
Food supplies from relief organizations are reaching the people, however these supplies have been grossly insufficient.
As I write this post in the comfort and warmth of my abode, my heart goes out to those children whom tonight lie in the open fields, or in some make shift tent or partially completed buildings, exposed to the elements and insecurities.
As you set your dinner table tonight, please do not forget those whom have no food to eat, though are hungry.
As we enjoy the Easter holidays this weekend, let us all remember those whom celebration is far from their consciousness due to far from comfortable living conditions.
Spread the word ........
#forabetterworld
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