Central African Republic Refugee Crisis | USA for UNHCR (2024)

FAQs

What caused the refugee crisis in the Central African Republic? ›

Download information. The Central African Republic (CAR) grapples with a protracted humanitarian and protection crisis due to political instability, forced displacement, and a weak economy. With over 515,000 internally displaced and 740,000 refugees in neighboring countries, the country faces significant challenges.

The Central African Republic is a fragile country. The drivers of fragility include a lack of social cohesion, the concentration of political power, social and regional disparities, the capture and mismanagement of natural resources by the elite and persistent insecurity fueled by a regional system of conflicts.

CAR still faces a humanitarian crisis as well; in addition to the over one million displaced by violence, an estimated 5.6 percent of the population died in 2022, a rate twice as high as any other country. In June 2023, 3.4 million people needed assistance, worsened by flooding that affected more than 100,000 people.

South Sudan is the newest country in the world … and it's also responsible for the largest refugee crisis in Africa. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. This came six years after the end of the Second Sudanese Civil War — which lasted over 22 years.

Causes. Causes for the refugee crises can include war, civil war, human rights violations, environment and climate issues, economic hardship, gender and sexual orientation-related factors, and hunger.

The Central African Republic (CAR) has the 5th highest rate of poverty in the world, with nearly 70% of the country's people living in extreme poverty.

Western Sahara is the poorest country in Africa, with a GNI per capita of $56. Burundi is the second poorest in Africa, with a GNI per capita of $220. Somalia, the third poorest African country, has a GNI per capita of $430.

As a result of the combined impact of violence, insecurity, population displacement, limited access to food, health and water and sanitation services, and the rise in food prices, as well as the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, 27 localities across 14 health districts of the country are currently ...

The Central African Republic Civil War is an ongoing civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) involving the government, rebels from the Séléka coalition, and Anti-balaka militias. Séléka rebel coalition takes power from François Bozizé. Low-level fighting between Ex-Séléka factions and Anti-balaka militias.

How to help refugees in Africa? ›

With your help, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, can give refugees protection, shelter, access to clean water, food, medical supplies, blankets and so much more. By donating or leaving a legacy, you will help us provide assistance and advocacy on behalf of displaced and stateless people every year.

Total population 6 million. It is estimated that 89 per cent are Christian, 9 per cent (Sunni) Muslim.

We deliver life-saving aid and protection in emergencies, advocate for improved asylum laws and systems so displaced people can access their rights, and help find long-term solutions so they can return home once safe to do so or build a future in a new country.

Refugees are people forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country. They are unable to return to their own country because of feared persecution as a result of who they are, what they believe in or say, or because of armed conflict, violence or serious public disorder.

When did the Syrian refugee crisis begin? The Syrian refugee crisis began in March 2011 as a result of a violent government crackdown on public demonstrations in support of teenagers who were arrested for anti-government graffiti in the southern town of Daraa.

Initially localized in the Horn of Africa, refugee camps are now springing up in all other sub-regions, especially in West and Southern Africa. The triggers include conflicts, civil unrest, environmental disasters, oppressive regimes and concomitant abuse of human rights.

The current conflict arose when a new coalition of varied rebel groups, known as Séléka, accused the government of failing to abide by the peace agreements, captured many towns in 2012 and seized the capital in 2013. Bozizé fled the country, and the rebel leader Michel Djotodia declared himself President.

Political instability and armed conflict in West and Central Africa are expected to drive the number of forcibly displaced and stateless people up by 9% to 13.6 million in 2024, 8.4 million of them internally displaced.