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Thousands of Guineans flee for safety after repeated armed attacks: UNHCR
22 September -- Thousands of Guinean civilians are fleeing to safer areas after recent attacks in the country's border regions left dozens of people dead, including a United Nations aid worker, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said today.

Speaking to reporters at the UN Office in Geneva, UNHCR spokesperson Delphine Marie, said Guinea's Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Security reported there could be as many as 17,000 internally displaced persons in Kindia and 21,000 in Forecariah, both regions bordering north-western Sierra Leone following recent attacks there.

Meanwhile in Gueckedou, on Guinea's border with eastern Sierra Leone, UNHCR contacts have reported that many civilians are fleeing the area in fear of another anticipated attack. People are reportedly moving north towards Kissidougou Prefecture, as well as other locations in Upper and Middle Guinea, and Conakry, the spokesperson said.

UNHCR has been able to continue distributing food in three camps in the Forecariah region this week, but operations in Gueckedou have been suspended and staff recalled to Conakry.

In a related development, Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees Soren Jessen-Petersen has arrived in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, for a five-day mission following the murder of one UNHCR staff member, Mensah Kpognon, and the abduction of another, Sapeu Laurence Djeya, during a 17 September attack in the town of Macenta, Guinea.

"Ms. Djeya has not been seen since she was taken away by the attackers," Ms. Marie said. "Mr. Jessen-Petersen is scheduled to meet with authorities throughout the region to enlist their support in locating and obtaining her release. He will also meet with Ms. Djeya's family and convey the High Commissioner's concern and commitment to do everything we can to find Ms. Djeya, an Ivorean who worked in our field office in Danane, Côte d'Ivoire."

Meanwhile, Abou Moussa, UNHCR's Regional Director for West and Central Africa, is travelling today with Mrs. Kpognon and two of her four children to Lomé, Togo, to accompany Mr. Kpognon's remains home. Mr. Kpognon, who was UNHCR's head of office in Macenta, will be buried on 30 September, the agency said.