Muslims in CAR Province face worst situation, warns UN

New York - The United Nations refugee agency voiced concern on Tuesday over the deteriorating situation of more than 400 members of Muslims trapped by the ongoing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR), according to a report published by the UN official website.

Adrian Edwards, spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters in Geneva that 474 members of the Peuhl ethnic group had been trapped for several months in the town of Yaloke, 200 kilometres northwest of the capital city of Bangui, where they were now facing worse humanitarian conditions.

Adults and children have become severely malnourished and more than 30 percent was suffering from malaria, he noted, adding that there were also six known cases of tuberculosis.

Edwards warned that since their arrival in Yaloke in April, 42 people among the group had died, while others were becoming weaker by the day.

Edwards said urgent humanitarian assistance is needed along with help in relocating them to safer places, either inside the Central African Republic or to neighbouring countries.

He added that today, the displaced Peuhl are the only Muslims still in Yaloke, and they are confined to an overcrowded camp for the internally displaced. “They cannot go beyond a 500 metre area because of the dangers they face. This means that they cannot seek safety elsewhere but it also impedes them from securing a livelihood or seeking others help.”

Earlier this month, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous warned of a potentially explosive situation in the CAR amid continuing violent clashes between the mainly Muslim Séléka alliance and anti-Balaka militia, which are mostly Christians.