UNHCR ‘completes move of Darfuris from Chad border’

14/06/2013 20:06

In a statement on Friday, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), says it has completed relocating Darfuri refugees from Tissi just across the Darfur border in Chad. UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming says the Agency “finished the relocation of Darfur refugees from the volatile border area at Tissi to the newly established Ab Gadam camp, which is now sheltering 10,247 people.” She also noted that besides the “urgency” of moving them “for safety reasons”, Tissi is also prone to bad weather: during the rainy season floods make road travel “impossible for humanitarian convoys.” Fleming’s briefing says that the last relocation convoy left Tissi “three days ago” and that “the UNHCR is now turning its attention to other Darfur refugees scattered across 18 additional remote sites in the border area”. “The refugees at these sites have been living in makeshift shelters with barely any protection against sun and rain. The local population is sharing their few resources with them.” In April the UNHCR announced that 50,000 people, from both Sudan and Chad, sought refuge in Tissi. They reportedly fled clashes in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes. Armed hostilities between the two sides erupted on 4 April. Following a quieter period, clashes have resumed periodically over the past month. Hundreds have been killed or injured on both sides. At a reconciliation conference, convened in Zalingei on Monday 3 June, delegations from both tribes are discussing a peace accord. Spokesmen for the two tribes have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process, which has been dogged by continued ‘violations’ by tribesmen. File photo: Albert González Farran/UNAMIDRelated:’Calm returns’ to Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, as leaders parley (12 June 2013)‘At least 100 dead, dozens injured’ as Salamat and Misseriya clash again in Central Darfur (11 June 2013)Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 May 2013)Misseriya torch Salamat neighbourhood in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur (29 May 2013)

In a statement on Friday, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), says it has completed relocating Darfuri refugees from Tissi just across the Darfur border in Chad.

UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming says the Agency “finished the relocation of Darfur refugees from the volatile border area at Tissi to the newly established Ab Gadam camp, which is now sheltering 10,247 people.”

She also noted that besides the “urgency” of moving them “for safety reasons”, Tissi is also prone to bad weather: during the rainy season floods make road travel “impossible for humanitarian convoys.”

Fleming’s briefing says that the last relocation convoy left Tissi “three days ago” and that “the UNHCR is now turning its attention to other Darfur refugees scattered across 18 additional remote sites in the border area”.

“The refugees at these sites have been living in makeshift shelters with barely any protection against sun and rain. The local population is sharing their few resources with them.”

In April the UNHCR announced that 50,000 people, from both Sudan and Chad, sought refuge in Tissi. They reportedly fled clashes in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, between the Salamat and Misseriya tribes.

Armed hostilities between the two sides erupted on 4 April. Following a quieter period, clashes have resumed periodically over the past month. Hundreds have been killed or injured on both sides.

At a reconciliation conference, convened in Zalingei on Monday 3 June, delegations from both tribes are discussing a peace accord. Spokesmen for the two tribes have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process, which has been dogged by continued ‘violations’ by tribesmen.

File photo: Albert González Farran/UNAMID

Related:

‘Calm returns’ to Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur, as leaders parley (12 June 2013)

‘At least 100 dead, dozens injured’ as Salamat and Misseriya clash again in Central Darfur (11 June 2013)

Misseriya and Salamat peace parley begins in Zalingei, Central Darfur (3 May 2013)

Misseriya torch Salamat neighbourhood in Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur (29 May 2013)