Red Cross Says Situation in CAR "Catastrophic"

Humanitarian efforts being strained by the ongoing conflict

BANGUI, Central African Republic, March 29 (UPI) -- The situation in the Central African Republic since rebel forces took over the capital has become "catastrophic," the international Red Cross said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said several days of heavy fighting in Bangui has strained humanitarian and healthcare capacity in the impoverished country. ICRC Dr. Bonaventure Bazirutwabo said on his visit to the capital that local healthcare workers can't cope with the emergency situation.