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West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (21 - 27 August 2018)

Countries
DR Congo
+ 3 more
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

FRESH FIGHTING UPROOTS HUNDREDS IN BRIA

Hundreds of people have been displaced following clashes between armed groups in the eastern Bria town (Haute Kotto Prefecture) on 25 August. The displaced are being registered at an IDP site in the town. The violence claimed eight lives and left 11 people injured. The fighting has since died down, but the situation remains unpredictable. Armed violence has displaced some 615,000 people across the country. More than half of them are staying with host families and the rest in 87 sites and settlements.

DR CONGO

MEASLES BREAKS OUT IN KASAI

Provincial health authorities in Kasai region have reported a measles outbreak, with at least 29 cases and five deaths recorded over the past three weeks in Mushenge area. The area also hosts at least 2,000 formerly displaced people. Cholera and yellow fever epidemics have also stricken the region. Mushenge is home to around 150,000 people.

MALI

FLOODS AFFECT OVER 18,000 PEOPLE

Floods in several parts of the country have affected more than 18,800 people, killed three and destroyed more than 3,200 houses. Herders have also lost around 1,800 heads of cattle. The national authorities supported by humanitarian partners are assisting the most vulnerable among those affected. However, additional resources are required to provide water, sanitation and hygiene, shelters, household items and food. In 2017, some 11,360 people were affected by floods between June and September.

NIGERIA

AROUND 4,000 FRESHLY DISPLACED IN A WEEK

According to the latest IOM Emergency Tracking Tool, 3,958 individuals arrived in camps and host communities across localities in the north-eastern Adamawa and Borno states between 15 – 21 August. The movements were largely triggered by conflict, floods, poor living conditions, intercommunity clashes, fear of attacks by armed groups and military operations. A malnutrition screening of 365 children among the new arrivals found that 167 were moderately malnourished and 101 severely acutely malnourished.

ARMY RELEASES MORE DETAINED CHILDREN

The army on 18 August released 24 children previously associated with armed groups. The children aged 12 – 17 years were handed over to UNICEF, bringing to 207 the number of children released so far this year by the military following advocacy by humanitarian organizations. In July, the army handed over 183 children previously linked with armed groups to UNICEF for psychological rehabilitation and reintegration support.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.