Guinea: Sierra Leonean relocation resumes

Briefing notes

Guinea: Sierra Leonean relocation resumes

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

3 December 1999

Relocation by UNHCR of Sierra Leonean refugees living in camps too close to the border in the area of Guéckédou, Guinea, resumed this week after months of interruption due to heavy rains and poor road conditions.

For the security of the refugees and to avoid uncontrolled infiltrations of armed elements through the border, the main objective remains to move 50,000 refugees from the border area. For that purpose, new sites have been identified and opened in Faindou, Katkama and Guelo, all located more than 100 km from the border.

So far this week, 2,000 persons have been relocated to Faindou.

Refugees and their belongings are moved in daily convoys averaging about 400 people.

Better road conditions and the availability of an improved trucking fleet should allow the relocation of 5,500 refugees by the end of the year. About 3,500 will be accommodated in the new site of Faindou and the rest will go to Katkama.