Fighting in Central Africa Republic drives thousands into Chad, UN reports

With thousands of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) pouring into southern Chad to escape recent fighting between government troops and rebel forces, the United Nations refugee agency has dispatched a team to monitor the situation.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) dispatched a three-person team to southern Chad to verify reports of the recent arrival of nearly 20,000 people who fled fighting in the northern areas of the CAR. Many of the refugees say they are fleeing fighting in northern CAR that has pitted government troops against rebel forces loyal to the former CAR Chief of Staff, François Bozize.

There are unconfirmed reports that the rebels recently recaptured the strategic northern town of Bozoum, which lies on the main road linking Bangui and Cameroon's seaport of Douala. Smaller numbers of refugees from areas south of the CAR capital have also gone south to the Republic of Congo to escape rebel activity near their homes.

Local non-governmental organizations say that the new arrivals at the border areas consist of some 6,000 CAR refugees, and an estimated 13,000 Chadians who had been living in northern CAR.

The UNHCR assessment team that left the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, on Sunday is now at the two locations, making a rapid assessment of the needs of the refugees and returning Chadians. Both groups are said to be in poor condition without adequate food, shelter or proper health care.

Meanwhile, UNHCR staff in Ndjamena has met with Chadian authorities and other UN agencies to arrange for assistance to the refugees and to draw up a re-integration plan for the returning Chadians.