Iran to dispatch humanitarian aid for CAR Muslims

Iran plans to dispatch a consignment of humanitarian aid to Muslim refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), who have fled the recent violence at home and are taking refuge in makeshift shelters in southern Chad.

Naser Charkhsaaz, Second-in-Command for the Rescue and Relief Organization in Iran’s Red Crescent Society, said on Sunday evening that the 40-ton shipment includes foodstuff, tents, blankets and sanitary supplies.

He further noted that Iran’s aid convoy for CAR Muslim refugees will leave Tehran for Chad early on Monday.

Tens of thousands of civilians have crossed from the Central African Republic into southern Chad in the past three months. Most of them are Muslims and many are of Chadian descent, even if their families have lived in the CAR for generations.

Many have crossed the border in convoys under the protection of the Chadian army. Others have walked on their own.

The CAR has been facing deadly violence since December 2013, when Christian armed groups launched coordinated attacks against the mostly Muslim Seleka group, which had toppled the government in March 2013.

On March 6, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said most of the Muslims had been driven out of the CAR’s western half, while thousands are at risk of being killed there.

On Friday, UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said almost all of the more than 100,000 Muslims once residing in the CAR capital, Bangui, have fled the violence perpetrated by Christian militias.

Some 2,000 French troops, supported by a 6,000-strong African Union force, are currently stationed in the strife-torn country. The foreign forces have so far failed to curb the violence. The French parliament has also approved the extension of France’s military intervention in the CAR beyond April.

On March 6, the UN Security Council discussed a proposal for the deployment of a 12,000-strong force to the CAR to contain the violence plaguing the country, but the talks ended inconclusively.