Sudanese refugees in the Central African Republic
27 July 2023
More than 13,000 people fleeing from Sudan have arrived in Central African Republic according to the UN. In order to support the refugees who are arriving, MSF launched an emergency response in early May.The majority of refugees remain in the border town of Am-Dafock, but in recent weeks 1,200 have been relocated to Korsi camp in Birao, a more stable and accessible location. These testimonials of Sudanese refugees reflect the urgency of medical and humanitarian needs in Central African Republic.
“With the rain starting to fall, we are preparing for the worst”
Adam Idriss Moussa, 64, father of eight
“I am a resident of Am-Dafock, on the Sudan side of the border with Central African Republic.
At first, when conflict broke out between the army and paramilitary forces on 15 April 2023, I thought that a quick solution would be found. But faced with the scale of the fighting in Khartoum and other regions, I made the decision to protect my family from the atrocities.
So we crossed the border to the Central African side and registered as refugees. Our life on the site currently is not so bad because we are assisted by several NGOs. However, there is a risk of being bitten by scorpions and snakes and, with the rain starting to fall, we are preparing for the worst, because of the risk of malaria and other diseases.”
“Most days all we eat is rice – I fear malnutrition”
Issa Fadali, 55, retired teacher and father of six
“I come from Nyala in Sudan and arrived at the refugee site in Birao three weeks ago. I am here with my first wife and five children. My second wife did not come with us. I asked her to stay with my one-year-old son at his uncle’s house in Sudan.
In terms of safety, this place is calm, but it is the problems around health and food that concern me. Most days all we eat is rice – I fear malnutrition.
Just yesterday, one of my children fell sick due to the unhealthy conditions in which we live. He was seen at MSF’s clinic at Korsi site and received treatment free of charge.”
“I think a lot about my four children who stayed in Sudan”
Awa Ousman Ali Moustapha, 50, widow with six children
“I am with my two older boys here – one is 16 and the other is 18. As they are teenagers, I was afraid I would lose them or they would be taken by force to fight, which is why I decided to take them out of Sudan. We travelled the 250 km between Nyala and Am-Dafock on a three-wheeled motorbike and the rest of the way to Birao in a UNHCR truck.
I think a lot about my four children who stayed in Sudan with their maternal uncle. Anyone can fall sick here because our living conditions are very difficult, we have no money and we can’t generate any income. We are dependent on NGOs and healthcare is essential.”
“As soon as I arrived at the site, I had pains everywhere”
Hadjora Ismail, 25, mother of four and pregnant with her fifth child
“I arrived at the refugee site in Birao just three days ago. For the moment I am sleeping in the reception tent. To get here, I had to travel many miles through Sudan with my children for four days.
My husband is a trader. When the fighting broke out, he had left to pay for some goods in Khartoum, the capital, and he was unable to get out of the city in time.
For his safety, he prefers to wait there until some calm returns before joining us here. As soon as I arrived at the site I had pains everywhere: a stomach ache, a headache and gastroenteritis. I came to the MSF clinic for treatment. They made me feel welcome and they gave me medicine, all for free. The doctor told me to come back in four weeks for a check-up. I have been pregnant for four months and this is the first time I have seen a doctor.”
“From Nyala to Birao we suffered”
Yahya Youssouf, merchant, father of 6
“I arrived at this camp in Birao yesterday by my own means because the operation to transport refugees from the border in Am-Dafock was suspended for security reasons and because of the rains. From Nyala [in Sudan] to Birao we suffered; paying for transport for a three-wheeled motorbike is expensive now. Thank God my family and I arrived safely.
We have not yet been assigned a tent and for the moment my children are exposed to various dangers such as reptiles and diseases. My daughter had a fever this morning. After seeing the doctor, she received free medicine and for the moment she is getting better.”