On 5 January 2014, WHO re-deployed its teams to Bouar and Kaga Bandoro, cities in western and central part of Central African Republic. Relative calm since last week allowed humanitarian agencies to resume their work in these two cities affected by the latest surge of violence that erupted last month.

WHO teams brought with them emergency medical supplies that were delivered to local health authorities in both cities.

Due to the conflict, immunization activities in Kaga Bandoro were interrupted as of the beginning of December, disease surveillance was only partially functioning and shortages of medicines were reported by remote health centres.

In addition, existing health services were already stretched, for example there is only one doctor for the more than 140 000 people living in the Kaga Bandoro area. The lack of ambulances is further hampering referrals to the main hospital.

WHO is resuming work with all health providers in the area to improve people's access to health services

Eugène KABAMBI
Communications Officer
Mobile: +236 72 56 61 37
E-mail: kabambie [at] who.int (kabambie[at]who[dot]int)

Tarik Jasarevic
Media Relations
World Health Organization
Mobile: +41 793 676 214
Tel: +41 22 791 5099
E-mail: jasarevict [at] who.int (jasarevict[at]who[dot]int)