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DR Congo + 4 more

West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (1 - 7 August 2017)

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BURKINA FASO

ARMYWORM INVASION DESTROYS 30,000 HECTARES

An invasion of fall armyworms has damaged more than 30,000 hectares of farmland spread over the 13 regions in Burkina Faso, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The caterpillars have attacked corn, sorghum, rice and other cereals. The government has initiated control actions in coordination with partners but the damage may be more widespread as affected areas are still being assessed. Fall armyworms have ravaged crops from Zambia to Ghana since arriving in Africa from the Americas last year.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

SECURITY CHALLENGES DESPITE IMPROVEMENT IN BATANGAFO

The situation is gradually returning to normal in the northern town of Batangafo, Ouham prefecture, yet there are persistent security challenges and food has become rare on the local markets. Prices are increasing, farmers could not access their fields. Moreover, on 6 August, a WFP convoy transporting food rations was attacked at the entrance of the town and three trucks holding 2,554 tons of food were completely looted. Clashes between armed groups from 29 July to 2 August have displaced over 24,000 people, and led to the burning of 221 shelters and 24 deaths (including 14 civilians).

AID HINDERED BY BORDER CLOSURE FOLLOWING CLASHES

On 10 July, Cameroonian authorities closed their border with the Central African Republic at Mbaimboum, in the North Region, following clashes between armed groups. The town is no longer accessible to traders and scarcity of staple foods has led to high food prices. The border closing also affects humanitarian actors, who used to purchase provisions in the town, as well as the functioning of the hospital in Bocaranga, which is the only referral center for the three sub-prefectures of Bocaranga, Koui and Ngaoundaye, in the northwestern Ouham-Pendé prefecture.

DR CONGO

INTER-COMMUNAL VIOLENCE DISPLACES 9,800 PEOPLE

Renewed inter-communal violence has forced an estimated 9,800 people to flee from Mutabi to villages and the city of Pweto, in Pweto Territory in Haut-Katanga Province, according to an inter-cluster mission conducted at the end of July. The latest wave of violence, on 26 and 28 July, also hampered the mission's access to several villages. Two of the three chiefdoms of Pweto Territory are already affected by violence. Given the significant influx of IDPs from Tanganyika, humanitarian needs are likely to further increase. Priority needs include shelter, non-food items, food, drinking water, protection, health, nutrition and education.

PERSISTENCE OF THE CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN BUKAVU

The Ibanda health zone in South-Kivu province continues to report the highest number of suspected cholera cases, with 11 cases referred to the hospital from Camp Saïo health area. The Provincial Health Division is strengthening preventive and sensitization measures, particularly targeting intense passenger traffic on Lake Kivu.

NIGERIA

31 FISHERMEN KILLED ON LAKE CHAD NEAR BAGA

Local sources reported on 7 August that at least 31 fishermen have been killed by suspected Boko Haram members in Duguri et Dabar Wanzam, on the Nigerian shores of Lake Chad, near the town of Baga, in the northeastern Borno state. Nigeria military had recently lifted the 3 year-long interdiction for fishermen in the region.

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