CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC / GUTERRES

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres tours areas in the Central African Republic where tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes, calling it the site of one of the world's forgotten crises. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:08
• Production Date: 8 March 2010
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS
• Geographic Subject: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
• MAMS Id: U100308c

Description

STORY: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC / GUTTERES
TRT: 2:08
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 6-7 MARCH 2010, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Guterres visiting refugee camp in Paoua
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations:
“As important as it is to have a solid international solidarity with the people of the Central African Republic - people who are suffering enormously but people who needs support in order to find their way with peace, with security and with a more prosperous future than their tragic past.”
3. Various shots, Guterres visiting refugee camp in Paoua
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations:
“And those attacks close to the Sudanese border are in an area in which the security problems are extremely tough and in which it is very difficult to have access, to be able to support these people in very difficult circumstances.”
5. Various shots, Guterres visiting refugee camp with refugees from Darfur

Storyline

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres visited the village of Paoua in the northern region of the Central African Republic where tens of thousands of people face displacement.

In 2005, the residents fled into the bush as their homes and much of the village was destroyed. Now many have returned but they face enormous challenges trying to resume normal lives, especially since sporadic violence continues.

Villagers have been victimized across the country by cross border attacks, random banditry and attacks by armed groups.

SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations:
“As important as it is to have a solid international solidarity with the people of the Central African Republic - people who are suffering enormously but people who needs support in order to find their way with peace, with security and with a more prosperous future than their tragic past.”

Helping almost 200,000 Central Africans who remain displaced is a difficult task. Once attacked, entire villages often retreat into the bush for safety, and accessing these groups is difficult for aid agencies.

SOUNDBITE (English) Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations:
“And those attacks close to the Sudanese border are in an area in which the security problems are extremely tough and in which it is very difficult to have access, to be able to support these people in very difficult circumstances.”

In addition to trying to cope with its own internal displacement issues the country has also taken in thousands of Darfuri refugees who live in a camp in the far north of the country.