UN fund set up to help protect refugees in Chad, Central African Republic

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has set up a trust fund to help the Governments of Chad and Central African Republic (CAR) build the law and order capacity needed to ensure the security of hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) endangered by the spill over of violence from Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region.

The Fund, supporting the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), has already received $2.2 million from the Government of Japan, $1 million from the Government of Norway and €250,000 from the Government of Belgium, Mr. Ban’s spokesperson announced today in a statement.

Discussions are advanced with the European Commission for a contribution of €10 million.

“The Secretary-General appreciates these generous donations and would like to use this opportunity to invite all interested donors to support MINURCAT’s mandate through a contribution to the United Nations Trust Fund,” the statement said.

MINURCAT, for which the UN General Assembly has already authorized $182 million, was set up by the Security Council in September as a multidimensional presence including European Union military forces and comprising 300 police and 50 military liaison officers, as well as civilian staff, focusing on the areas of civil affairs, human rights, the rule of law and mission support.

More than 400,000 refugees and IDPs have been driven from their homes by fighting and insecurity in the two countries and neighbouring Sudan, and an estimated 700,000 others in host communities have also been affected.