{{UN and EU aid chiefs promised help on Friday to victims of a “forgotten crisis” in Central African Republic, where armed groups are preying on civilians four months after a rebel takeover plunged the country into chaos.}}
In the town of Kaga-Bandoro, deep in the jungle 350 km (220 miles) north of the capital Bangui, inhabitants have fled constant attacks by gunmen to live in the nearby forests and fields, surviving on roots and the leaves of manioc plants.
The school, government offices and U.N. agency buildings in the town of 26,000 people have been pillaged since the Seleka rebel group seized power in Bangui in March, ending any semblance of state control outside the capital.
“We want to draw the attention of the international community to what is happening to you,” Valerie Amos, deputy U.N. security general in charge of humanitarian affairs, told locals. “Central African Republic will no longer be a forgotten crisis.”
Since the interim government led by rebel leader Michel Djotodia seized power, its fighters have been accused of reprisal killings and other atrocities.
Aid groups say health services across the country are close to collapse. Attacks and looting are common.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) this week accused the international community of turning its back on the landlocked former French colony.
reuters
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