Influx of Liberian refugees to Guinea

Following fighting in Northern Liberia since late August, the Nzerekoré region has seen an increase in arrivals of Liberian refugees. While a total of some 5,500 Liberian refugees arrived from 29 August to 18 September, no arrivals of Guinean returnees or Third Country Nationals have been reported to date. OCHA Guinea is concerned with early warning signs indicating lack of compliance with peace agreement on behalf of the warring Liberian factions. This may translate into further population movements across the border into the Prefectures of Yomou and Macenta in Guinea.
On 13-18 September some 3,000 Liberian refugees arrived at the border point of Fassankoni in Macenta Prefecture, across the border from Zorzor in Liberia. To date 1,636 Liberians have reportedly been registered by Guinean authorities in Fassankoni and some 500 are awaiting formal registration. It is unclear how many persons in total are still waiting on the other side.

UNHCR is planning to transfer these newly arriving refugees to the Kouankan camp hosting Liberian refugees camp at a rate of 300-450 persons per day starting today, 19 September 2003. As road conditions are very poor GTZ will start working immediately on providing basic repair to the most critical areas.

Main points of entry for September are so far in the areas of Fassankoni (Macenta Prefecture), Bignamou and Baala/Diecke (Youmou Prefecture) and Thuo/Boussou (Lola Prefecture) (see attached map).

UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, OCHA and the FSO are jointly and closely monitoring the situation. Humanitarian partners present in the field are encouraged to share any information found relevant.

In 2003 to date, total number of persons crossing the border in the Nzerekore region to seek safe haven in Guinea is at 38,000. Hereof, 21,000 are Liberians, 11,000 are Guineans, 3,000 are Ivorian and 2,000 are TCNs according to reports received from local authorities through the Inter Agency Monitoring Mechanism established in December 2002.

MAP - Refugee Centres in Guinea (Sep 2003)

For further information, please contact OCHA Guinea:

Head of Office
Mr. Hervé Ludovic de Lys
herveludovic.delys@undp.org
Tel +224 (0) 12 66 37 14

Information Officer
Ms. Sofie Garde Thomle
sofie.gardethomle@undp.org
Tel: +224 (0) 12 66 37 15