Darfur: UNHCR takes CAR refugees away from border to a new site with better assistance

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has started the relocation of some 14,000 refugee men, women and children who fled the Central African Republic (CAR) for Um Dafoug in South Darfur to Al Mashaga site, which is a better site further away from the border. Living conditions near the CAR border were harsh and refugees were exposed to the elements in an area that was difficult to reach by humanitarian actors.

Al Mashaga site has a water supply and is located closer to basic services such as health facilities. It is also easier to reach in the rainy season when dirt tracks in areas closer to the border cannot be used. The new site was prepared by UNHCR, the government’s Commissioner for Refugees (COR) and other partners, including World Vision International (WVI).

So far, the first 1200 men, women and children have arrived safely in Al Mashaga where they received non-food items such as blankets and shelter material. Keeping COVID-19 guidelines such as physical distancing in place, fewer refugees were carried on the busses than normal.

Refugees from the Central African Republic started arriving in Um Dafoug since October 2019 fleeing inter-tribal conflict in their home areas.