BANGUI, Central African Republic, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Tens of thousands of people have been displaced due to violence in the Central African Republic this week, the United Nations' refugee agency said Friday.
In the Bangui, an estimated 159,000 people were displaced this week and 450 people were killed, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said in a release.
"At the airport in Bangui, there are 38,000 people, currently without latrines or washing facilities and with no shelter from the rains or sun. Conditions there and elsewhere are deteriorating," a UNHCR spokesman said.
About 12,000 people were taking shelter at the St. Joseph Mukassa church in Bangui, the spokesman said.
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"Local youth have dug latrines and UNHCR has provided plastic sheeting to allow some level of privacy and spaces where people can wash. However, people there urgently need food, shelter, soap and other basic aid," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said the UNHRC is working with other U.N. agencies and other groups to scale up humanitarian operations across the country, but so far, only about 3,500 families in Bangui and 3,000 other families in Bossangoa have received aid.
"We appeal once again to all parties to let humanitarian help through, and to protect civilians," the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International is urging the African Union council to clarify its plans for deployment in the Central African Republic.
Last week, the U.N. Security Council authorized the deployment of African troops for a one-year peacekeeping mission, with 6,000 African troops set to take over from central African states Dec. 19.
Amnesty International said in a statement it is encouraging the AU Peace and Security Council to detail its plans and swiftly place troops on the ground.
"A clear plan and concrete action are urgently needed from the African Union to prevent the crisis in Central African Republic spiraling completely out of control," said Netsanet Belay, the Africa director at Amnesty International. "Amnesty International's team on the ground has witnessed how tens of thousands of civilians are in vital need of the protection the promised African-led peacekeeping force will provide."
Confusion remains over who will provide the troops and when they will be available.
How cooperation will be ensured between African troops and the 1,600 French troops, who have already deployed, is also unclear, Amnesty International said in the news release.
