Caritas is preparing to host an influx of refugees in Benin in West Africa as fears grow of election violence in neighbouring Togo.

Caritas Benin says the build up to Togo’s elections scheduled for 4 March are tense and say they must prepare now should the poll descend into violence resulting in a surge of refugees. A study by Caritas, the UN’s refugee agency UNHCR, and other ngos is predicting that the election will be followed by violence.

“We have hosted 30,000 refugees coming from the south of Togo in past years,” said Philippe Yaovi Ahouanye, Head of Emergencies for Caritas Benin.

“This year violence could spread into the north of the country as tensions grow between different factions of the ruling Eyadema family. We are expecting as many as 75,000 refugees from Togo.

“The refugees leave with nothing and they arrive here with nothing. Some have families in Benin. But these families are not rich enough to host them.”

Caritas is planning to ensure it can provide food, transportation, and healthcare to the sick and to the wounded. Caritas aims to also provide the refugees with a way to return home once Togo has stabilized.

Incumbent president Faure Gnassingbe seized control in 2005 after the death of his father, military leader Gnassingbe Eyadema, who had led the small West African country since 1967.

Elections in Togo have been characterized by violence since 1991 that have led to refugees escaping to Benin. In 1993, 300,000 Togolese refugees went to Benin. Many remained for long periods, including 3,500 Togolese who are still in camps today.

For more information, please contact Patrick Nicholson - nicholson@caritas.va - 0039 3343590700