Forgotten People within a Forgotten Crisis: People with Disabilities at Risk in the Central African Republic

“Blandine,” a 30-year-old woman with a physical disability caused by polio, in a displacement camp in Bambari. She played dead during a UPC attack on the town of Yassine in March 2017 because she could not run away.
“Blandine,” a 30-year-old woman with a physical disability caused by polio, in a displacement camp in Bambari. She played dead during a UPC (the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic) attack on the town of Yassine in March 2017 because she could not run away. © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Asaf,” a 40-year-old Peuhl man at the l’Élêvagé camp in Bambari, who lost his fingers to disease when he was a child. He said he fled his home in 2014 as fighting neared “before it found me in the bush where I was defenseless.”
“Asaf,” a 40-year-old Peuhl man at the l’Élêvagé camp in Bambari, who lost his fingers to disease when he was a child. He said he fled his home in 2014 as fighting neared “before it found me in the bush where I was defenseless.”  © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
Anti-balaka fighters attacked “Arun,” a 43-year-old Peuhl man with an intellectual disability, after he fled fighting in Bria in November 2016. “One of the attackers tried to shoot me and I don’t know why I am alive,” he said. “I thought I had been struck
Anti-balaka fighters attacked “Arun,” a 43-year-old Peuhl man with an intellectual disability, after he fled fighting in Bria in November 2016. “One of the attackers tried to shoot me and I don’t know why I am alive,” he said. “I thought I had been struck by a bullet. I just ran.” © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
Anti-balaka fighters shot and wounded “Salé,” a 42-year-old Peuhl man, during an attack near Ngakobo in early 2015. “I knew that if there was another attack I would not be able to run,” he said from the l’Élêvagé camp in Bambari.
Anti-balaka fighters shot and wounded “Salé,” a 42-year-old Peuhl man, during an attack near Ngakobo in early 2015. “I knew that if there was another attack I would not be able to run,” he said from the l’Élêvagé camp in Bambari. © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Monica,” a 30-year-old polio survivor who cannot walk, lost her husband and three children in fighting in Bakala last December. “After the attack I wanted to look for my family so I crawled into the bush towards the river,” she said.
“Monica,” a 30-year-old polio survivor who cannot walk, lost her husband and three children in fighting in Bakala last December. “After the attack I wanted to look for my family so I crawled into the bush towards the river,” she said. “I spent two days there until a neighbor came and told me my family was dead.”  © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Francis,” a 16-year-old polio survivor, was forced to flee Bakala with his family when UPC (the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic) forces attacked in December 2016. “There was shooting everywhere,” he told Human Rights Watch.
“Francis,” a 16-year-old polio survivor, was forced to flee Bakala with his family when UPC (the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic) forces attacked in December 2016. “There was shooting everywhere,” he told Human Rights Watch. “My father just threw me into my wheelchair and he pushed me as fast as he could.” © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Fidel,” a 55-year-old resident of Wadja Wadja, who has difficulty walking, fled the attack on Yassine in March 2017. “I was running with crutches and I’m lucky to be alive,” he said.
“Fidel,” a 55-year-old resident of Wadja Wadja, who has difficulty walking, fled the attack on Yassine in March 2017. “I was running with crutches and I’m lucky to be alive,” he said. “I was moving slowly with the crutches, but I managed to hide in the bushes.” © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
The “MINUSCA” displacement camp in Kaga-Bandoro on April 9, 2017. For people with physical or sensory disabilities, the camp is hazardous and unhealthy to navigate.
The “MINUSCA” displacement camp in Kaga-Bandoro on April 9, 2017. For people with physical or sensory disabilities, the camp is hazardous and unhealthy to navigate. © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Michel,” a 35-year-old polio survivor in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro, who had to flee the l’Évêché camp in town when Seleka fighters attacked it last October. “I was abandoned by my family,” he said.
“Michel,” a 35-year-old polio survivor in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro, who had to flee the l’Évêché camp in town when Seleka fighters attacked it last October. “I was abandoned by my family,” he said. “It was everyone for himself, so I had no choice but to move or die.” © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Thierry,” a 42-year-old polio survivor lives in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro. “I want to work, but I can’t find any here,” he said.
“Thierry,” a 42-year-old polio survivor lives in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro. “I want to work, but I can’t find any here,” he said.  © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Jeanette,” a 27-year-old polio survivor, in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro. “I do not have a wheelchair and I have to use shoes on my hands to move around,” she told Human Rights Watch.
“Jeanette,” a 27-year-old polio survivor, in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro. “I do not have a wheelchair and I have to use shoes on my hands to move around… It is very dirty and I’m filthy in other people feces if I try to use the toilet. I am scared it will make me sick,” she said. © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
“Eric,” a 41-year-old polio survivor in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro, was living in a nearby village when Seleka forces attacked in 2014. “I took three weeks hiding and crawling to Kaga-Bandoro,” he said.
 “Eric,” a 41-year-old polio survivor in the “MINUSCA” camp in Kaga-Bandoro, was living in a nearby village when Seleka forces attacked in 2014. “I took three weeks hiding and crawling to Kaga-Bandoro,” he said. “I was alone and I lived off mangos. Luckily, the Seleka did not steal my tricycle [wheelchair] and we were able to recover it.” © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
People with disabilities living in displacement camps in Kaga-Bandoro hold a meeting in April 2017. The group convenes each Sunday, and members say they receive very little assistance.
People with disabilities living in displacement camps in Kaga-Bandoro hold a meeting in April 2017. The group convenes each Sunday, and members say they receive very little assistance. © 2017 Edouard Dropsy for Human Rights Watch
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