Over 2,000 CAR refugees in Cameroon to receive relief material
About 2,500 refugees who left their homes in the Central African Republic and settled in the localities of Garoua Boulai and Kenzou in the East region of Cameroon will this Thursday receive relief material sent by President Biya.
CAPE TOWN, June 10 (ANA) – More than 2,000 refugees fleeing armed violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) will receive relief material sent by Cameroonian President Paul Biya, Cameroonian news publication Journal du Cameroun reported on Thursday.
Cameroon is one of the neighbouring countries hosting thousands of refugees fleeing atrocities in the CAR as election-related violence increased before and after last December’s elections, which were held amid armed groups’ disruptions.
About 2,500 refugees who left their homes in the CAR and settled in the localities of Garoua Boulai and Kenzou in the East region of Cameroon will this Thursday receive relief material sent by Biya, the publication reported.
The relief material, including food and non-food items, will be handed over to the refugees by the head of state’s envoy, Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji, who is on a four-day working visit to the region.
CAR has experienced conflict since 2013 when predominantly Muslim rebels known as Seleka removed former President Francois Bozize from power, plunging the country into violence and instability when their brutal rule gave rise to the anti-Balaka Christian militias.
Violence in the CAR escalated in the run-up to last December’s presidential election as the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC) rebels led by Bozize launched a series of attacks nationwide and took control of some towns.
Over 276,000 people have been displaced within the country since mid-December while thousands have sought refuge in neighbouring countries including Cameroon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher