CAR/ MILITIA ATTACKS

In August this year, members of a militia group attacked two areas in the north-west of the Central African Republic. The attacks forced thousands of villagers to flee into the bush to find safety. Now they are struggling to survive. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:39
• Production Date: 25 October 2013
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS
• Geographic Subject: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
• MAMS Id: U131025h

Description

STORY: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC/MILITIA ATTACK
TRT: 2:39
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTION: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/SANGO/NATS

DATELINE: 04 OCTOBER 2013, BEBOYE, BODOLI VILLAGES, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Shotlist

1. Wide shot deserted Village, Bedoye
2. Close up torched property
3. Med shot, deserted hospital
4. Med shot, internally displaced people sitting together
5. Close up, baby
6. Wide shot, children
7. Close up, stressed woman
8. Close up, children
9. Med shot, Albertine Gondje holding child
10. Med shot, Albertine Gondje putting child to bed
11. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Albertine Gondje, IDP, Paoua:
“We are living in total fear here, most of the people are currently living in the bush. I came back here to try and find some medication for my sick child.”
12. Med shot, Begotto Frederic cuts crops
13. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Begotto Frederic, IDP, Paoua: (off camera as he works)
“Its better to run and hide yourself in the bush and later you come work in your farm”.
14. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Laboura Eylse, IDP Paoua:
“They came from behind, shot me on the throat and left me thinking I was dead.”
15. Med shot, Laboura Eylse shows bullet wounds
16. Med shot, UNHCR staff walk with villagers
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Djerassem Mbaiorem, UNHCR, CAR:
“The International community must act, must push CAR government to provide security to provide peace so that we can access those populations and assist them and provide them better protection.”
18. Med shot, Djerassem Mbaiorem walks with Begotto Frederic
19. SOUNDBITE (Sango) Begotto Frederic IDP, Paoua:
“I would beg that the humanitarians come and help us, with blanket, mats and other things that are essential to help ourselves. If you come and see where am living it is very bad.”
20. Close up, feet walking on dirt road
21. Wide shot, UNHCR staff walking with villagers
22. Med shot, UNHCR staff talking with villagers
23. Close up, baby girl

Storyline

In mid- August, two areas in north west Central African Republic were attacked by a faction of a militia group. Over 800 houses burned to the ground and hundreds were displaced in Pauoa and Bosangua.

People witnessed horrors, others were taking into captivity.

For a few days, Albertine Gondje was held hostage by an armed group.

Her family had to pay (USD) 400 for her release, a small fortune in this region.

SOUNDBITE (Sango) Albertine Gondje, IDP, Paoua:
“We are living in total fear here, most of the people are currently living in the bush. I came back here to try and find some medication for my sick child.”

Begotto Frederic and his seven children also live in the bush. He comes to the village only to pick up some of his harvest to feed his family.

SOUNDBITE (Sango) Begotto Frederic, IDP, Paoua: (off camera as he works)
“Its better to run and hide yourself in the bush and later you come work in your farm”.

Leboura Eylsee speaks more with gestures than words. He is lucky to be alive, he struggles to explain. He was shot four times while working on his farm near the village of Bodoli.

SOUNDBITE (Sango) Laboura Eylse, IDP Paoua:
“They came from behind, shot me on the throat and left me thinking I was dead.”

UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies are trying to bring relief to the people, but security is hampering their efforts.

SOUNDBITE (English) Djerassem Mbaiorem, UNHCR, CAR:
“The International community must act, must push CAR government to provide security to provide peace so that we can access those populations and assist them and provide them better protection.”

As Begotto prepares to go back to the bush for the night, his message is clear.

SOUNDBITE (Sango) Begotto Frederic IDP, Paoua:
“I would beg that the humanitarians come and help us, with blanket, mats and other things that are essential to help ourselves. If you come and see where am living it is very bad.”

Access to this region is difficult,the villagers must reach towns such as Paoua to get aid and travelling is far from safe.

Still, UNHCR and its partners say more aid is on the way for those who can reach them.