UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

March 2014 – Internal conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR), continues to destabilize the region, causing significant population movements and widespread humanitarian needs. Since the beginning of December 2013, more than 47,000 people from CAR have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries, bringing the total of CAR refugees in the region to 280,654. At the same time, the conflict in South Sudan has caused over 60,000 South Sudanese to become refugees in Uganda. Years of protracted conflict in the DRC have also produced 450,000 Congolese refugees in the region. With the support of GAC and other donors, UNHCR is protecting and improving living conditions of more than 2,240,910 refugees and other vulnerable people in this region. Activities include: (1) registering and providing identification documentation for refugees and internally displaced people; (2) preventing and responding rapidly to sexual and gender-based violence including training and community sensitization campaigns; (3) addressing the basic needs of refugees and displaced people by providing health care, water and sanitation, education, and protection services; (4) providing supplies, equipment, and training to refugees to increase income-earning opportunities and self-resilience; and (5) providing emergency shelter and basic household items, as well as rehabilitating roads, schools and clinics used by refugees and displaced people.