For Ms. Yangbo Bibiche, a 36-year-old refugee from the Central African Republic (CAR), the journey to safety has been marked by loss, resilience, and hope. Today, she lives with her family of nine in Zongo (Mole Camp), but the path that brought them there was shaped by the devastating conflict between the Seleka and Anti-Balaka armed groups.
Forced to flee the violence that claimed the lives of many spouses and tore communities apart, Ms. Yangbo and her family escaped with nothing. They left behind their home, belongings, and livelihood, arriving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo completely destitute and uncertain about the future. As the sole caregiver for her children—Laureine, Héritier, Delpirlo, La Grâce, Dinant, La Reine, Dieu Merci, and Merlisse—she faced the overwhelming challenge of rebuilding her family’s life from scratch.
Everything began to change in 2021, when AIRD supported their relocation to Mole Camp. Ms. Yangbo recalls how the organization acted quickly and efficiently, ensuring safe transportation and providing timely assistance during the relocation process. Beyond transportation, AIRD also supported the construction of a shelter, giving her family a secure place to live.
“When we arrived, we had nothing. AIRD helped us move safely and supported the construction of our shelter. That assistance gave us a place to start again and restored hope for my children.”
Having a safe shelter has transformed the family’s daily life. Instead of living with constant uncertainty, they now have stability, dignity, and a place they can call home. The improved living conditions have allowed Ms. Yangbo to focus on caring for her children and planning for the future rather than worrying about immediate survival.
While she recognizes that continued monitoring and maintenance of the shelter infrastructure will be important to ensure its long-term durability, she emphasizes that the support has already had a lasting impact on her family’s well-being.
Looking ahead, Ms. Yangbo dreams of becoming self-reliant by establishing an income-generating activity (IGA) that will enable her to provide for her family without depending on humanitarian assistance. Like many refugees, she hopes that one day peace will return to the Central African Republic, allowing her family to return home with dignity.
Ms. Yangbo’s story demonstrates how timely humanitarian assistance extends far beyond meeting immediate needs. By providing safe transportation, shelter, and protection during displacement, AIRD has helped one vulnerable family regain stability, rebuild hope, and begin planning for a more independent future. Her resilience and determination serve as a powerful reminder that, with the right support, displaced families can move from surviving to rebuilding their lives while holding onto the hope of one day returning home.