U.N. increases services to Central African Republic

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The United Nations announced Friday its food relief offices in northern Central African Republic would reopen to reach more than 500,000 people in need.

Finishing a two-day visit to the country, U.N. World Food Program Regional Director Denise Brown said her agency is committed to helping those displaced by a renewed outbreak of violence.

"The presence of the international humanitarian community is the Central African Republic in full force is extremely important," Brown said.

The recent fighting has eroded basic services in the country, and 1.6 million people are in need of food, protection, health care, water, sanitation and shelter, a U.N. statement said.