Insecurity hinders humanitarian operations in Central African Republic

Thousands of lives in the Central African Republic are at risk as intensifying security incidents hamper delivery of humanitarian assistance and more than half the country's population depends on aid.

In a statement on Wednesday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs termed the Central African Republic as one of the most challenging countries in the world for humanitarian workers.

Denise Brown, the humanitarian coordinator in the country, said between Jan 1 and April 15, 43 incidents affecting humanitarian organizations were recorded in which 11 aid workers were injured.

This year, at least one incident per day affecting humanitarian workers was recorded, half of which were burglaries, robberies and intrusions.

"Civilians are the primary victims of the conflict in the Central African Republic and humanitarian assistance is a matter of life and death for millions of people," Brown said.

"Humanitarians who come to their rescue in a neutral and impartial manner must be granted free and safe access."

In the latest attacks, which occurred on April 7and 9, six aid workers and a health district worker were injured, with one seriously injured.

The attacks forced a humanitarian organization to suspend its mobile clinics and efforts to improve access to clean water for 11,000 people in remote areas in Basse-Kotto prefecture.

"Every time humanitarians come under attack, the lives of thousands of vulnerable people are at risk. Aid workers who assist people under extremely difficult conditions must not be attacked," Brown said.

The Central African Republic has a population of around five million, of which 3.1 million depend on humanitarian assistance.

At least 30,000 vulnerable people are cut off from humanitarian assistance in the western part of the country due to the threat of landmines and other explosive devices, data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicate.

Explosive ordnance also limits people's access to fields during planting season, places of work and income and essential services such as health care and education.

According to the World Vision International, an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization headquartered in the United Kingdom, only three percent of Central Africans have access to running water.

Many water access points, such as wells and pumps, have been destroyed by years of violence, while others have been contaminated by dead bodies.

The country has been experiencing civil wars since 2012, and involving the government and rebels and efforts to implement a peace deal has been unsuccessful.