Libreville - Relief agencies in the Central African Republic warned on Thursday that the entire population of the poor, landlocked nation faced a serious humanitarian crisis after a coup in March.
“The whole population of the Central African Republic, 4.6 million people, is affected by a severe humanitarian crisis in the wake of the coup d'etat and the political instability that followed,” said a statement signed by a dozen groups including Action Against Hunger and Save The Children.
“The United Nations estimates that the CAR needs about 97-million euros in aid, but donations received for the moment meet only 43 percent of these needs,” it added.
A rebel coalition, the Seleka (which means “alliance” in the Sango language), ousted president Francois Bozize in March and a Seleka leader, Michel Djotodia, became the new head of state.
“More than 60 000 children and families are suffering from severe food shortages. More than 200 000 children and families have been forced in the past six months to flee their homes and need emergency shelter, food and medical care,” the statement said.
The relief agencies added that food and health issues were considerably worsened by insecurity, killings and looting.
They also denounced many cases of rape and sexual abuse, particularly affecting children, and concluded that “the current humanitarian crisis is the worst the country has known”.
In another statement on Thursday, Human Rights Watch said Seleka rebels “have targeted and killed at least 40 civilians, and intentionally destroyed 34 villages or towns since February”.
“The world doesn't seem to notice that the Central African Republic is facing a catastrophic situation,” said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at HRW.
“Seleka fighters are killing civilians and burning villages to the ground while some villagers are dying in the bush for lack of assistance.”
The watchdog said the new administration had denied any Seleka involvement in the atrocities documented by HRW researchers.
However a group of Seleka members, including one of the former rebellion's top generals, issued a statement demanding an internal dialogue to tackle ongoing security problems and rights violations.
“Not a day goes by without somebody who has been arbitrarily arrested being tortured or executed,” the statement said. - Sapa-AFP