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Initial inter-agency rapid-assessment reports have been carried out in Songo - some 40 km east of Freetown, Mile 36, Mile 38, Masiaka - some 55 km east of Freetown and surrounding villages. Reports indicated that the RUF occupation caused "considerable suffering amongst the civilian population who were either forced to support the rebel forces or to live in bush camps", according to HACU. People in the main villages appeared to have nutritional and medical problems.
At the time of the visit, Masiaka town was still empty. Concentrations of displaced people were seen at Mile 36 and Mile 38. ECOMOG and villagers estimated that another 5,000 to 10,000 people were still in the bush.
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