Scroll

Central African Republic: Upsurge in violence hinders access to medical care in Bangui

16 Oct 2014
Other
Related Countries
Central African Republic
Share
Print:

The situation in Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, has been extremely tense since a wave of violence broke out on 7th October.

Men and youths have taken up positions at strategic crossroads throughout the city and set up blockades that are making it very difficult for MSF or any other relief teams to reach the injured.

On 7th October, an isolated grenade attack sparked violent clashes in Bangui. That same evening, the Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) team treated 13 wounded at the General Hospital: one person died of his injuries.  

Restricted access to medical care

The fighting has been accompanied by a sudden heightening of political tension, with one anti-balaka leader demanding the resignation of the Central African president.

The sound of heavy artillery shells and gunfire has been ringing out since, especially at night. Access to medical care has become virtually impossible. In most neighbourhoods, the inhabitants remain holed up at home.

Today, very few ambulances were out on the streets. Over the last three days, MSF’s medical teams have treated 56 wounded people in its three hospitals in Bangui.  

“We were able to reach one wounded person in the PK5 neighbourhood on 8thOctober. But now the security situation is stopping us from getting around the town”, explains Claude Cafardy, deputy head of MSF's mission in Bangui.

MSF teams unable to move

There is a real risk that the injured won’t come to hospital for treatment, either because they can’t find transport or because they are afraid of being attacked on the way.

As some of the fighting is taking place only a stone’s throw from MSF’s compounds, the teams are cornered, unable to get to work at the Mamadou M'baiki health centre.

MSF’s Central African staff are also having serious problems getting to the hospitals.  

"Today a deadly calm reigns in Bangui,” says Claude, “and access to medical care is almost paralysed.”  

Find out more about MSF’s work in Central African Republic