CHADUNREST FORCES 1,200 CENTRAL AFRICANS INTO CHAD
More than 1,200 Central Africans have fled into southern Chad in several waves since the start of this month following unrest back home, UNHCR reported on 20 April. Aid agencies and the authorities are providing assistance and amenities are being constructed for the new arrivals. Last year, more than 1,700 people also fled across the border into Chad following violence. Chad currently hosts some 400,000 refugees, including more than 71,000 Central Africans.
DR CONGO
CONFLICT IN KASAI REGION DISPLACES 1 MILLION
Around 1 million people have been displaced by violence that has hit the provinces of Kasaï, Kasaï Central, Kasai Oriental, Sankuru and Lomami since August 2016. The unrest has forced civilians to flee to other provinces and more than 11,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring Angola. The conflict, which erupted after a traditional leader was killed in fighting with security forces, has also affected more than 1.5 million children, UNICEF reported on 20 April. Around 600,000 children have been displaced; 4,000 others separated from their families; at least 300 injured; and 2,000 are being used by armed groups. The conflict has also devastated schools and health centres: more than 350 schools and a third of health centres have been destroyed.
Forty-two humanitarian organizations are operating in Kasaï region. However, persistent insecurity and outbreaks of violence are major hindrances to aid operations. Resource mobilization efforts are ongoing as the current needs have largely outstripped financial capacities.
NIGER
HEPATITIS E OUTBREAK DECLARED
The Ministry of Health on 19 April declared an outbreak of Hepatitis E that has killed 25 among 86 infected people. Medical assistance and preventive measures are ongoing to curb the disease which is mostly transmitted through contaminated water.
Separately, 2,100 meningitis cases, including 120 deaths, were recorded as of 16 April. The districts of Niamey 2 and Madarounfa (in the southern Maradi region) have reached the epidemic level. A vaccination campaign is ongoing.
NIGERIA
MORE THAN 8,000 MENINGITIS CASES RECORDED
Health authorities are battling to contain an outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis that had killed 745 people and infected 8,057 as of 17 April. Ninety-three per cent of the cases are in five states (Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Niger) that have reached the epidemic level of 10 cases per population of 100,000. Vaccination targeting people between 2 - 29 years has been conducted in Zamfara and in Katsina and preparations are underway for the next round of vaccination in priority localities in Sokoto state. Raising awareness, enhanced surveillance, vaccination and preparedness are the focus of the outbreak response