UNHCR chief Guterres to assess emergency operations in Kyrgyzstan

Media Advisory

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres will travel to Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday and Thursday (30 June and 01 July) this week to assess UNHCR's humanitarian operations there and to discuss with the Kyrgyz government any further support they may require. During his stay, the High Commissioner will be meeting with Kyrgyz officials including President Roza Otunbayeva.

In southern Kyrgyzstan Mr. Guterres will continue to press for protection of the civilian population, especially for the safety of some 375,000 internally displaced people and for access by humanitarian agencies.

The recent violence in southern Kyrgyzstan prompted a fast refugee influx into neighbouring Uzbekistan as well as massive displacement within Kyrgyzstan. Only days after the clashes subsided in southern Kyrgyzstan virtually all refugees returned from Uzbekistan. Mr. Guterres wants to make sure UNHCR is well placed to assist them to rebuild and re-establish their lives.