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Thousands seek refuge in Sierra Leonean Embassy in Guinea: UNHCR
15 September -- The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern about conditions facing 4,500 Sierra Leoneans who have sought refuge in their country's Embassy in Guinea.

Ron Redmond, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), called the situation "worrying" and expressed particular concern about the risk of epidemic in the Embassy. He told reporters in Geneva that the agency is providing medical assistance to the refugees through Médecins Sans Frontières, along with water and food.

According to UNHCR, the refugees are requesting to be repatriated, but the agency does not consider this a viable option because of the insecure situation in Sierra Leone.

The group of refugees sought cover in the Embassy after being released from detention by the Guinean authorities. The Sierra Leonean refugees were held, along with a group of Liberians, following a series of violent attacks by Liberian and Sierra Leonean rebels on Guinean villages last weekend. Guinean authorities estimated that at least 80 civilians were killed in the attacks. While all detainees have since been released and allowed to go back home, "many of them fear renewed reprisals in their neighbourhoods," Mr. Redmond said.

UNHCR and other UN agencies have announced a special contribution for Guineans affected by the recent spate of cross-border attacks. They have also asked the Guinean Government to establish proper security in the affected regions. UNCHR has already transported five tonnes of food from the World Food Programme (WFP) to Massadou, and plans are under way to send more WFP aid to the towns of Madina, Oula and Forecariah.