The Central African Republic is facing a new period of intensified violence. Due to upcoming elections slated to end a political transition period, the population is on edge as widespread violence has erupted throughout the capital. Many international NGOs have faced direct threats and many offices have been looted this week.

Violent clashes took place Saturday September 26 in the capital city of Bangui after a motorcycle taxi driver was killed by unidentified men Friday night. The violence has since spread with new attacks and firefights every day, and road blockades that have impeded all movement within the city.

Citizens have been forced from their homes, attacked and killed in the streets as a result of this conflict. Tensions in the western part of the country have increased, and there have been sizeable population shifts in the area around Bangui.

Several international NGO offices, including Action Against Hunger’s office in Bangui, have been looted. Alexandre Le Cuziat, Action Against Hunger Regional Director of Operations for Africa, explained, “Our offices in Bangui were completely ransacked and destroyed, and our supply-stocks were stolen. We are concerned for all people affected by this new violence and for the beneficiaries of our programs, especially the most vulnerable among them, children and displaced families."

Access to humanitarian aid is essential for the many households that depend on this assistance.

The threats to humanitarian organizations in CAR pose a serious danger to the 2.7 million people in need.

In 2014, Action Against Hunger provided assistance to 365,637 people in CAR. Rapid mobile response programs reached 117,712 beneficiaries in remote areas, where thousands of displaced people have found refuge. More than 10,000 children under 5 were treated for malnutrition. Over the last four months, our nutrition programs have admitted and treated more than 800 children in Bangui alone. Ceasing humanitarian activities now will result in tragedy for thousands of civilians caught in the middle of this conflict.

This insecurity is a major obstacle to the delivery of aid. "The continuity of our support to health facilities is no longer guaranteed because of shortages of medicines and therapeutic nutritional foods, and because of the insecurity which weighs on our team," says Alexandre Le Cuziat.

Action Against Hunger began programs in CAR in 2006, and has consistently adhered to the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and non-discrimination and intervenes where the needs are highest. In order to adapt to the dynamic situation in CAR, our programs since 2013 have an increased focus on the needs around CAR’s border regions and the increased number of displaced people and refugees in Chad and Cameroon.