In 2006, civilians in the Central African Republic (CAR) once again fell victim to horrific violence in the latest bout of conflict in a string of coups and rebellions that have plagued the country since it achieved independence from France in 1960. And once more, the plight of the country's 3.6 million people went largely unnoticed. Since November 2005, fighting has occurred between government troops and various rebel groups in the country's northwest. Civilians suspected of supporting one side or the other are targeted or caught in the crossfire.

Many villages along the roads have been attacked, looted or burnt. An estimated 100,000 civilians were forced to flee their homes, with some fleeing to neighboring Chad - where MSF is providing assistance - while others sought refuge in the country's forests, exposed to harsh elements and lacking adequate shelter, food, clean water and health care.

MSF started working in northwest CAR in November 2005 and steadily increased activities throughout 2006, providing primary and secondary healthcare in and around Kabo, Batangafo, Paoua, Markounda and Boguila to people who had no access to basic health services. In 2006, MSF performed more than 200 surgical interventions every month. Several MSF mobile teams in the area provided medical care to people who had fled to the forests, carrying out an average of 1,800 consultations per week.

The patients, many of whom are children under five, mostly suffer from malaria, worm infestation or acute respiratory infections. In fall 2006, the resurgence of violence around Paoua, Markounda and Kabo forced many people to hide in the forests yet again. At the end of October, the rebel group Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement (UFDR) launched an attack in northeast CAR and seized control of Birao, Ouanda Djallé and several other cities.

Civilians remained cut off from aid when authorities refused MSF and other humanitarian organizations access to the region. After government forces had regained control in December, MSF teams were eventually allowed to assess the needs.
Read more about the CAR
Medecins sans Frontieres