CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
AID CONVOY AMBUSHED, ONE KILLED
Gunmen on 4 November ambushed an aid convoy heading to the northern Ndélétown, robbed the entire cargo of one truck and killed a driver. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator condemned the latest attack on aid workers in a country where half the population depends on relief assistance for survival. So far this year, 13 humanitarian workers have been killed in the country.
CHAD
CHOLERA OUTBREAK SUBSIDING
A cholera outbreak that erupted in the eastern Salamat region appears to be getting under control. Thirty-eight cases were reported in the week ending on 6 November, down from 152 the previous week. Outbreak control measures such as public awareness have been well received by communities. The drying up of a local river considered to be one of the sources of contamination has also contributed to the decline of infections. Since the epidemic broke out on 11 September, 717 cases and 24 deaths had been reported as of 1 November.
DR CONGO
MEASLES CONFIRMED IN SECOND-LARGEST CITY
A measles outbreak has been confirmed in the south-eastern Lubumbashi city, the country’s second-largest. Of the 564 cases reported in Haut-Katanga province this year, 57 percent have been in Lubumbashi, the provincial capital. Control measures are being undertaken to curb the spread.
MALI
INSECURITY RESTRICTS AID ACCESS
Humanitarian access is increasingly becoming difficult in the central and northern regions where more than 100 incidents of insecurity targeting aid workers have been reported since the start of the year. More than 25 percent of the incidents have been in Gao region, and 53 of the total involved international NGOs. Aid workers are mostly targeted for their vehicles and property. They have nonetheless continued to work by adjusting operations and engaging with communities to secure access to vulnerable populations.
NIGERIA
FAVOURABLE HARVESTS IN CRISIS-HIT NORTH-EAST
Harvests from this year’s season in many areas of the conflict-hit north-east region are favourable, with households reaping good cereal yields, FAO reported on 1 November. However, livestock diseases in Adamawa and parts of Bornocould affect productivity and hike meat and milk prices. The agency is soon to launch dry season assistance programme for more than 90,000 farming households to increase food production.
THOUSANDS FLEE WESTERN CAMEROON CRISIS
Nigerian authorities and UNHCR have registered around 2,000 Cameroonians who have fled to south-eastern Nigeria from the trouble-hit English-speaking regions of Cameroon, the refugee agency reported on 31 October. Some 3,000 others are awaiting registration. A humanitarian assistance plan for up to 40,000 people who could cross into Nigeria is being readied. It is, however, feared that the planning figure may be conservative if the crisis persists.