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UNHCR gains access to volatile part of Central African Republic
The United Nations refugee agency, (UNHCR) in the Central African Republic has regained access to displaced people in desperate need of assistance in the far north of the country.
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In December 2009 the government banned humanitarian agencies from going to the area citing security concerns as a result of the presence of a lot of armed groups.
The UN refugee agency has welcomed the government's decision to allow access again to people who for one year have been without any kind of assistance.
UNHCR spokeswoman, Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba says people in this area are in dire need of shelter because their houses have been destroyed.
"Especially now with the rainy season, it's even more important that we are able to go in and help them. There are also major protection issues with a lot of looting and massive rape, abduction, torture and sometimes even killings reported by the villagers and the presence of humanitarian workers there to assist those who are survivors of such abuses is very important."
Fatoumata Lejeune-Kaba points out that before the crisis, agriculture was booming in the area because people had fertile land and were able to make a living.
Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio.
Duration: 1'21"
