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West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (22 - 28 March 2022)

Countries
DR Congo
+ 3 more
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

DR CONGO

ACCESS CONSTRAINTS AND INSECURITY BLOCK 30,000 FROM CRITICAL AID IN ITURI

In Djugu Territory, Ituri province, poor road conditions, armed group attacks and security incidents affecting civilians are restricting humanitarian access to the Mongbwalu Health Zone, preventing about 30,000 people from receiving life-saving assistance. Djugu has been very volatile and insecure in recent months, having been subjected to repeated attacks, including at least five on internal displacement sites. In neighboring Irumu Territory, over ten schools have been closed since mid-March, affecting about 1,800 children, due to armed groups’ recurrent attacks in several villages in the south. Humanitarian agencies have been mobilizing to provide critical aid in Ituri due to the recent spiral of violence.

NIGERIA

ARMED MEN ATTACK TRAIN, KILL EIGHT CIVILIANS IN KADUNA STATE

On 28 March, armed men ambushed a commuter train in Rijana, along the AbujaKaduna rail line, killing at least eight civilians and injuring 40 others, according to a government statement. The armed men laid improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the rail line prompting an explosion that derailed the train before opening fire on passengers.
Some passengers are still missing, and some were abducted during the attack, which came three days after armed men raided the Kaduna airport disrupting flight operations and killing a security personnel. Armed men continue to launch attacks on military and civilian locations, including schools and abducting civilians for ransom across the north-west region, especially in Kaduna State.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

RAINS AND WINDS INJURE PEOPLE, DESTROY HOUSES & DAMAGE SCHOOLS

On 23 March, torrential rains and strong winds injured 25 people and destroyed 160 houses in Ouandago, Nana-Gribizi Prefecture. Rains and winds also blew off the roofs of two schools, forcing them to close and 900 students to miss classes. Humanitarian organizations are assessing needs and mobilizing resources to provide critical aid.

CHAD

ARMED MEN ABDUCT 11 PEOPLE, TORTURE ONE WOMAN

On 19 March, non-state armed group members (NSAG) broke into Kola displacement site, Ngouboua sub-prefecture,
Lac province, and abducted 11 people, including one woman who was tortured before being released along with four other abductees. Six other civilians remain abducted. Humanitarian organizations are mobilizing to provide medical and psychosocial support to those affected. The abduction of women is on the rise in the Lac province. Between 25 January and 19 March,
NSAG members abducted 25 women in the province.

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