Chad: 10,500 refugees under threat

  1. Posted on Wednesday 11 February 2009 - 09:35
    Mforgham
    Image of Mforgham
    Solomon Tembang Mforgham, AfricaNews reporter in Limbe, Cameroon Photo: Ernst Schade
    Close to 10,500 refugees who fled fighting in the Central African Republic (CAR) and sought safety in a remote area of south-eastern Chad are reportedly in dire need of emergency relief. The UN refugee agency said on Tuesday that it was responding to the situation.
    ernst_schade_08.jpg
    Meanwhile, reports say refugees from CAR continue to flock into Chad as fighting between government forces and rebels intensified.

    The UN refugee spokesman, Ron Redmond, said the situation has continued to deteriorate, causing thousands more to flee. He quoted local Chadian authorities estimating between 4,000 and 5,000 new refugees arriving.

    “Most of the new arrivals are women and children. They fled ongoing fighting in the northeastern CAR between rebel groups and the military near the town of Ngarba,” Redmond said. “The refugees are in dire need of assistance. Many are sheltered under trees in the open. Others have constructed flimsy shelter with very little protection from the weather. And, the local community does not have much to offer either," he added.

    The UN agency also said food is scarce and people are in need of medical assistance. It added that the health center in the area has run out of medication due to the sudden arrival of the refugees and medical supplies are urgently needed, especially to treat malaria.

    The local people are also reported to have little access to clean water.

    Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund is reportedly dispatching 20 tons of essential supplies, including vaccines against measles, while the World Health Organization is sending various medicines.

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