As ongoing violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to drive civilians to seek safety elsewhere, the United Nations refugee agency is appealing to neighbouring countries to keep their borders open and allow access to safe haven for people on the run.
Overall, the crisis that began in CAR in December 2012 has thus far caused 226,000 people to flee to neighbouring countries, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). There are also an estimated 550,000 people internally displaced, of whom 132,000 are in the capital, Bangui.
The agency said today it is looking into reports that people seeking safety in Chad may recently have been turned back at the Sido border entry point.
“UNHCR is also asking all neighbouring countries, Chad included, to keep borders open – to allow refugees and other individuals access to safe haven,” spokesperson Adrian Edwards told reporters in Geneva…
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