Central African Republic – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, has organized the voluntary transportation of seven Malians, eight Guineans and 34 Central Africans from Bangassou, Central African Republic (CAR).

The relocation of the Malians and Guineans has been taking place this week from Bangassou to Bangui, and next week from Bangui to their country of origin, in coordination with the Malian Consulate in Douala, the Guinean Embassy in Libreville, IOM Mali, IOM Guinea, UNHCR CAR and other partners. The 34 internally displaced CAR nationals will also be voluntarily transported to their places of origin, including Bangui, Bambari and Obo.

The Malian beneficiaries represent a single household of seven individuals, including a year-old girl. The head of the household, Dramé Mahamat, is from the Kayes region, and came to CAR in 1985. The Malians will leave the province of Bangui on Monday 30 October 2017 and will arrive in Mali late afternoon the same day. The family will be assisted by IOM Mali at the airport and will receive USD 150 per individual for secondary transportation costs. Three nights of hotel accommodation will also be provided for the household if necessary, while they wait for their secondary transportation.

IOM is collecting data on all beneficiaries, as well as working with several partners. The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food assistance, UNICEF is providing hygiene and sanitation facilities through the Catholic charity, Caritas, and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is providing medical assistance.

CAR is experiencing a resurgence of violence and faces the risk of a repeat of the devastating crisis that beset the country four years ago. The south-eastern city of Bangassou witnessed violent community conflict in May 2017 with attacks of Anti-Balaka militants against the Muslim community. The situation continues to remain unstable despite the presence of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).

Among the hundreds of thousands affected by the escalating situation in the country, 423 displaced Muslim households (1,500 individuals) have been given protection by a Catholic bishop in Bangassou. Bishop Juan José Aguirre Munoz, has been providing refuge to them after fighting broke out in May. They have since been under the care of the church, humanitarian organizations and the protection of MINUSCA.

Regarding the situation of the rest of the displaced population, Jean François Aguilera, IOM CAR Chief of Mission, said, “No options have yet to be agreed upon for the majority of the households in the IDP camp. We are, however, very pleased to facilitate the voluntary return of these households so far.”
For more information, please contact Jean-François Aguilera at IOM Bangui, Tel: + 236 72 18 7635, Email: jfaguilera@iom.int