(ANS – Madrid) – “People are living in fear every day. You never know when someone might come to your home to steal, kill or rape your wife and daughters” the Salesian missionaries in Bangui explain. And the capital is the only place in the country with the minimum of security thanks to international forces. “You might say Bangui is pacified. But outside the capital there is the law of the jungle,” Fr José María Sabé, a Salesian working in the region who has only just arrived in the Central African Republic, reports.

The two Salesian missions in Bangui, in the Damala and Galabadja districts, continue to assist thousands of refugees, especially during the night. “They come looking for a safe place to sleep,” the Salesians explain. Many, especially women and children, also stay during the day. In Galabadja the Salesians have started a school for the displaced children, attended by over 300 of them.

In addition the  Salesians in Damala and Galabadja are trying to keep their schools open. “We want the children to have as normal a day as possible in their lives.” Nevertheless there are many difficulties on account of the lack of security. “There have been some hand-grenades in the class rooms and we have to watch out for stray bullets.”

“More security is needed, more resources and help to bring peace to the Central African Republic and to be able to work for reconciliation” declares Ana Muñoz, spokesperson for the Madrid Mission Office.

The crisis in the Central African Republic began in March 2013 and so far has caused over 567,000  to be displaced, while a further 350,000 have fled to Camerun, Chad and Congo. In addition more than half the population, 2.5 million people need humanitarian aid urgently. For this reason the Madrid Misson Office is launching an appeal for the end of violence and calling  on the international community not to look the other way.

Published 04/07/2014