Violence broke out in the Central African Republic’s capital city, Bangui, in December 2013. The last six years of conflict have left 2.9 million people -- 63 per cent of the population -- in need of humanitarian assistance. Over 600,000 people are internally displaced, with 200,000 living in camps. Another 600,000 Central Africans live outside the country as refugees in Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.
Follow the story of Mohamed and his family as they flee Bangui and travel 594 kilometers in search of safety.
Displaced in Bangui
Mohamed is married with eight children ranging in age from 2 to 15 years old. The family are living in Bangui in December 2013 when fighting breaks out. Their home and business are looted and destroyed by armed groups. The family take whatever personal belongings they can and leave their neighborhood in Galabadja. Many people go to religious sites for shelter. Mohamed and his family go to the Bangui Central Mosque.
Leaving Bangui for Bambari -- attacked in Sibut
After two months at the Mosque, the family heads north in early 2014. They leave Bangui with a sense of relief, heading for the town of Bambari. This glimmer of hope is soon shattered when the convoy is attacked by armed men in the town of Sibut. During this incident, three people in the convoy are killed and Mohamed’s nine-year-old son is wounded. The travellers are devastated by these ruthless and arbitrary killings.
Arriving in Bambari
Mohamed and his family have never been to Bambari before. Upon arrival, they seek refuge at the Bornou Mosque which has become a site for internally displaced people (IDP). The family is registered by aid workers and become eligible for humanitarian assistance. They receive food rations, shelter kits and have access to basic healthcare services. With the little money he has, Mohamed eventually leaves the IDP site and rents a house. He hopes to start a new business and to enroll his children in school.
Barely five months after their arrival, as the family is beginning to adjust, inter-communal violence breaks out in Bambari in July 2014. Bambari becomes a ghost town as people restrict movement to reduce the risk of getting hit by stray bullets. Life becomes unbearable for Mohamed and his family who soon run out of food.
Walking from Bambari to Bria
After witnessing the killing of a neighbor at the Bambari market, Mohamed and his family decide to walk to Bria. This 200 kilometer journey takes three weeks. The family sleep in the bush and are exposed to natural hazards including torrential rainfall and mosquitos. Mohamed’s four-year-old daughter becomes ill with a high fever and malaria. She recovers after receiving treatment from a mobile clinic operated by a humanitarian organization.
Upon arrival in Bria, the family registers at one of the biggest sites in the country, known as PK3, which hosts over 50,000 internally displaced people. Most displaced people in Bria have moved several times due to repeated attacks. Mohamed’s family soon realise that inter-communal tensions are also a reality in Bria, affecting the free movement of civilians within neighborhoods.
The PK3 site predominantly hosts Christians while Muslims live in the Bornou neighborhood. Both communities remain confined to their respective areas due to the fear of attacks.
Moving to Bornou
New violence in parts of Bria in November 2016 forces Mohamed and his family to move again. This time they go to Bornou neighborhood where they will be among people from their religious group.
Since this outbreak of violence and its escalation in April and May 2017, humanitarian organizations are providing life saving assistance to affected people, particularly those in camps and staying with host communities. Despite many challenges, 17 humanitarian organizations are present in Bria.
