In Pictures
In Pictures: Plight of CAR refugees in DRC
More than 29,000 refugees from the Central African Republic live in camps in DR Congo, including many under age of 18.
Violence between Muslims and Christians continues in war-torn Central African Republic, forcing thousands to flee to refugee camps.
The conflict began in March 2013, when Muslim Seleka rebels ousted President Francois Bozize and installed Michel Djotodia, one of the leaders of the Seleka rebel coalition, as interim president.
During this time, the Seleka have engaged in torture and execution of civilians, rape and enlisting of children in their military ranks.
The atrocities were countered with the formation of the anti-Balaka, largely Christian militias, to fight against Seleka rebels. The anti-Balaka have been engaged in what Amnesty International describes as “ethnic cleansing” of Muslims in the Central African Republic.
Currently, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that there are more than 600,000 internally displaced people and more than 300,000 refugees living in neighboring countries.
Out of almost 60,000 people who fled the CAR across the Oubangui River to the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 29,000 live in refugee camps – about one-third of whom are under the age of 18.
In spite of the difficult circumstances, many of the children in the Boyabu and Mole refugee camps persevere by continuing to attend schools built by aid agencies.