CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
12 PER CENT DECREASE IN IDPs AND INCREASE IN REFUGEES
IDP figures drop for the fourth consecutive week, with 567,635 IDPs currently in CAR-- a 12 per cent decline since last month. Refugee figures have increased by 12 per cent in the past month, with 114,271 refugees displaced to CAR, DRC, RoC, and Cameroon since December.
UNSC IMPOSES SANCTIONS ON CAR REBEL LEADERS
The UN Security Council has imposed asset freezes and travel bans on former CAR President, Francois Bozize, Seleka leader Nourredine Adam and anti-Balaka political coordinator Levy Yakete for undermining peace and fuelling violence in CAR.
2/3 OF SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED IN CAR
UNICEF reports that more than half way through the school year, almost two-thirds of schools in CAR remain closed. The CAR crisis has disrupted two school years since the end of 2012.
CHAD
CAR/CHAD BORDER CLOSED INDEFINITELY
On 12 May, Chad’s President announced closure of its southern border with CAR until the crisis in CAR is resolved, permitting only Chadian citizens to cross. The border closure follows accusations that the gunmen responsible for the 2 May attack of Markounda (northern CAR) were Chadians.
MALI
AGREEMENT TO REPATRIATE MALIAN REFUGEES IS SIGNED
On 3 May, UNHCR, Mali and Niger signed a tripartite agreement to support spontaneous returns of Malian refugees and ensure the voluntary nature of these returns.
NIGER
1,000 NEW ARRIVALS FROM NORTHEAST NIGERIA TO NIGER EVERY WEEK
UNHCR announced that between 700-1,000 people are fleeing northeast Nigeria´s violence every week into Niger’s Diffa region, bringing the total number of new arrivals to 50,000. At current levels, 100,000 new arrivals are expected in Diffa by the end of the year.
NIGERIA
LAND MINES, BRIDGE EXPLOSIONS CHALLENGE HUNT FOR MISSING SCHOOLGIRLS
International expert groups from the US, France, and UK, inter alia, have arrived to assist in the search for the remaining 223 missing schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram last month. Rescue efforts have been compromised following the destruction of two strategic bridges by the group and the reported laying of land mines to obstruct rescue missions in the northeast.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
80,000 DRC CITIZENS EXPELLED, HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS GROW IN DRC
More than 80,000 citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been expelled from Republic of Congo over the past month. Many forced returnees reportedly have little attachment to DRC and lack access to basic services.
SAHEL
LOWER RAINFALL EXPECTED IN 2014, SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN THE WEST
ACMAD reports that below average precipitation is very likely in Guinea, Senegal, The Gambia and parts of Mali and Mauritania from June to September 2014.
SENEGAL
SENEGAL RE-OPENS BORDER WITH GUINEA
Senegal reopened its border with Guinea this week after having closed the border last month to contain the Ebola outbreak.
Increased rains observed in West Africa during the past observation period.
Consistent heavy rains triggered flooding, destroyed houses, and thousands of displaced people in Sudan.
1) Inadequate rainfall distribution since early June has delayed planting and negatively affected crop development in northeastern Nigeria. Although an increase in rainfall was observed recently, continued favorable rainfall amounts are needed to overcome long-term deficits.
2) Although much of western Ethiopia has experienced favorable amounts of rainfall during the last two months and recent rains have improved in quantity in eastern Ethiopia, poorly distributed rains in parts of eastern Amhara, eastern Tigray, and northern Oromia have been consistently below-average since June.
3) A continued sluggish start to seasonal rainfall across much of Senegal has led to deteriorating ground conditions and growing early season rainfall deficits dating back to June. Suppressed rains are forecast to return during the next week, which may worsen conditions.
4) A delayed start of the seasonal rains has negatively impacted cropping activities along the Mauritania-Mali border. Despite a recent increase in rainfall over the region, continued adequate rainfall amounts are needed to improve moisture availability.
5) Heavy rains during the past few weeks have destroyed shelters, flooded producing areas, and affected several people over many parts of the Darfur and Kordofan areas of Sudan. With moderate to heavy rains forecast to continue next week, additional flooding is likely.
6) Heavy downpours during the past few weeks have caused flooding, infrastructure damages, injuries, and displaced people across the Khartoum, River Nile, and Al Gazeira states of Sudan. Potential for flooding remains high as heavy rains are forecast to continue over upstream Ethiopian highland.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
60 PER CENT RISE IN ATTACKS AGAINST AID WORKERS
As of this week, 987 hostile incidents against aid workers were reported in 2014, mostly in Bangui and Bambari. Incidents have increased by 60 per cent since May 2014.
DISPLACEMENTS IN MBOMOU
New displacements were registered on 10 September in Mbomou region due to rebel fighting. As of 11 September, there are a total 174,397 IDPs in CAR, and 417,130 people have fled to neighbouring countries.
MINUSCA ARRIVES
On 15 September, African Union forces handed over authority to the UN Peackekeeping force (MINUSCA) who will be mandated to protect civilians, support the political process towards democratic elections and reestablish state authority. Currently, 7,600 peacekeepers have been deployed out of the 12,000 planned.
MALI
1 PEACEKEEPER KILLED, 4 WOUNDED IN KIDAL
One peacekeeper was killed and four others wounded after a vehicle in which they were traveling in Kidal (northern Mali) tripped a landmine. A similar incident took place on 3 September in Kidal killing four peacekeepers and wounding 15.
NIGERIA
INSURGENTS CLAIM TOWNS IN NORTHEAST
Insurgents have claimed territory in northern Adamawa state, now reportedly controlling five towns in the northern part. This adds to seven towns recently claimed in Borno state, and three towns claimed in Yobe state.
27,000 NEW IDPS
NEMA registered 26,391 new IDPs in Maiduguri earlier this month, in addition to the 646,693 IDPs in the Northeast estimated in June. More displacements are presumed in cities attacked and/or claimed by insurgents, however, access to these areas is restricted preventing further assessments.
75,000 REFUGEES IN CAMEROON, CHAD, AND NIGER
As of 16 September, UNHCR reports that 75,000 refugees have fled the insurgency in Northeast Nigeria for Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad, and a total of 95,000 are expected by the end of the year. Cameroon alone hosts some 43,700 Nigerian refugees, with dozens arriving everyday.
REGIONAL: EBOLA
30 PER CENT INCREASE IN CASELOAD, OVERVIEW LAUNCHED
As of 12 September, there are 4,963 cases of EVD and 2,344 deaths reported in five countries in West Africa— a 30 per cent increase in EVD caseload since last week. The disease is projected to increase significantly. The UN Ebola Response Coordinator, Dr. David Nabarro, published an Ebola Needs and Requirements Overview on 16 September outlining 13 mission critical actions that require USD$979 million to implement towards curtailing the outbreak and its secondary impact on food security and livelihoods, inter alia.
CAPE VERDE
1,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED AFTER VOLCANO ERUPTION
On Fogo Island, the Pico do Fogo volcano erupted on 23 November prompting the evacuation of approximately 1,000 people from the Cha das Caldeiras village. An emergency situation has been declared for the island of Fogo and neighboring island of Brava. The government has provided social housing to be used as shelters. The volcano last erupted in 1995 and a larger eruption occurred in 1951.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
3,0000 PEOPLE DISPLACED AFTER UPSURGE OF VIOLENCE IN ZEMIO
The upsurge of violent attacks in Zemio has left 3 killed and over 3,000 displaced. A joint needs assessment conducted in Zemio on 19 November by UNICEF and UNHCR revealed that affected people are in dire need of protection, shelter, water and sanitation.
1.5 MILLION FOOD INSECURE PEOPLE
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification survey, food insecurity affects 1.5 million people in CAR. Populations who fled to the bush and families hosting displaced people are the most affected.
NIGERIA
700,000 IDPs REGISTERED IN THE NORTH EAST
As of 24 November, the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has registered 700,000 IDPs in the north-eastern states of Borno (402,039), Adamawa (160,198) and Yobe (116,536). Displaced people are mostly staying with host families and there are six camps in Adamawa State and twelve in Borno State.
NIGER/NIGERIA
3,000 PEOPLE FLEE VIOLENCE INTO NIGER
Violent clashes occurred on 24 November in Dammassak, Nigeria, 20 km south-east of the Niger region of Diffa. At least 3,000 people fleeing the violence have crossed the border towards Diffa notably to the Chetimari, Chetima wango and Moroy villages.
REGIONAL / EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (EVD)
15,351 CASES AND 5,459 DEATHS
As of 21 November, a total of 15,351 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of EVD and 5,459 deaths have been reported.
EIGHT CONFIRMED EBOLA CASES IN MALI
This week, Mali has confirmed one new case of EVD, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the country to eight. The United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has established an office in the country, to support the Government of Mali in its effort to contain the outbreak.
SAHEL
FOOD AND NUTRITION CRISIS COULD AFFECT 4.2 MILLION PEOPLE
The regional information system for Food Crisis Prevention and Management (PREGEC)
released on 24 November preliminary results of the 2014-2015 cropping season in the Sahel
and West Africa. It is estimated that the regional crop production is 4 per cent higher as
compared to last year and 8 per cent higher as compared to the average of the previous five
years. A significant decrease of more than 32 per cent is recorded in Western Sahel countries.
Between January and March 2015, food and nutrition crisis could affect over 4.2 million people
in Burkina Faso, Gambia, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad.
As of 17 December 2014, there have been 18,569 confirmed, probable and suspected EVD cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and 6,900 deaths.Over 9.4 million children are living in the affected areas in these 3 countries. An estimated 3,492 children have been infected with Ebola, and a far greater number of children have lost one or both parents or caregivers in this crisis.
UNICEF is leading the sub-regional response against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the areas of Social Mobilisation to engage communities to further prevent transmission and stop the outbreak, in the establishment of Community Care Centres (CCCs) to provide care for suspected cases, and to address the enormous child protection needs of children and their families as a results of the outbreak.
Cote D’Ivoire
IDPs Begin to Return Home
Displaced populations in the country’s western Olodio locality and other areas are gradually returning to their villages despite lingering insecurity. Some 3,000 people fled their homes following armed attacks on Dahioké, Grabo and Irato areas in January. Humanitarian actors are assessing the possibility of food distributions in communities of return.
Burkina Faso
400 Flee Mali Clashes
Recent clashes between a self-defence group and separatist National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) fighters in northern Mali have driven more than 400 people to neighbouring Burkina Faso. The majority of the displaced originate from Intillit, Tessit and Boulkessi areas of northern Mali that have suffered armed attacks. The refugees have settled in Mentao and Goudébou camps. Burkina Faso hosts some 33,000 Malian refugees.
Niger
15-day State Of Emergency Imposed On Diffa
The Nigerien government has imposed a two-week state of emergency in Diffa in the wake of attacks by Boko Haram. The emergency status allows troops to conduct house searches without a warrant and to impose curfews. According to local authorities the attacks that erupted on 6 February have forced thousands of people to flee to other towns. However, the exact number of the displaced is still unknown.
Nigeria2 Towns Hit By Boko Haram Twenty-one people were killed when Boko Haram raided two villages in Borno State on 12 February. The insurgents also attacked a military and a police post in Gombe, the capital of Gombe State on 14 February, prompting authorities to impose a brief curfew. The militants had reportedly distributed leaflets calling on residents to boycott the upcoming general elections. The following day, a separate attack occurred in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, where a female suicide bomber killed seven people and injured 32 others.
Regional / Ebola Virus Disease (evd)
22,859 Cases And 9,162 Deaths / Cases Rise For The Second Week
As of 8 February, there were 22,859 confirmed, probable and suspected EVD cases in the three high transmission countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Confirmed Ebola cases rose for the second straight week, with 144 new cases reported in the week leading up to 8 February, 20 cases more than the week before. Guinea has reported the largest increase in caseload, with 65 more cases in the week of 8 February.
Sahel
Usd$1.96 Billion Regional Appeal Launched
The Sahel humanitarian appeal for 2015 was launched on 16 February in Dakar. The USD$1.96 billion appeal is to assist millions of people affected by food insecurity, conflict and other crises in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. Over 20 million people in the region are facing food shortages and 2.8 million have been displaced from their homes by violence.
High levels of chronic vulnerability persist in the Sahel. Early 2015, an estimated 20.4 million people are food insecure in the region. Acute malnutrition is expected to threaten the lives and development of 5.8 million children under five years of age. Violent conflicts and insecurity caused 2.8 million people to flee from their homes, over a million more than early January 2014. Here is how humanitarian teams plan to respond to support the Sahel's most vulnerable.
