In the southeast of Central African Republic, more than 10,000 people fled Bangassou during an offensive on the city on 3 January 2021 and crossed the Mbomou River to find refuge in the village of Ndu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

MSF teams, who have been supporting mother and child healthcare in the local health centre in Ndu since 2017, have been responding to the needs of the displaced people by bringing in extra medicines, vaccines and additional staff. MSF teams have also installed a water purification system which supplies three bladders with river water treated to make it safe for drinking. Living conditions in Ndu are very poor, with very little access to sanitation, and access to water is crucial to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

On the Central African side of the Mbomou River, MSF teams are continuing their medical activities at Bangassou hospital, supported by MSF since 2014. On 3 January, the day of the offensive, nearly 800 people – most of them women and children – sought refuge within the hospital grounds, where MSF teams provided them with shelter, clean water and medical care. Although the security situation has calmed down relatively in Bangassou, people are still scared and nearly 1,600 people were still spending the night in the hospital mid-January.

Since mid-december 2020, the security and humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly in CAR as clashes escalate between coalition armed groups and government forces supported by foreign troops, in violence linked to the electoral process.

Beyond the direct victims of the current violence, people across the country find themselves with reduced access to essential medical services as a result of the growing insecurity. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes by the latest cycle of violence. Many are living in very precarious conditions, both within Central African Republic and in neighbouring countries.