Refugees

The security situation in Guinea Bissau has improved and conditions are now in place for the voluntary repatriation of refugees to that country, according to UNHCR, which has signed tripartite agreements to that effect with the governments of Guinea Bissau and the various countries of asylum. The repatriation of refugees from Senegal to Guinea Bissau was to have begun last Saturday, but had to be postponed pending the repair of the Senegalese naval vessel originally intended to be used in the operation or the identification of another ship, a UNHCR source told IRIN. The refugees fled to Senegal during an army mutiny against former President Joao Bernardo Vieira, which ended in his ouster in May. Delivery of humanitarian aid Meanwhile, vehicles transporting humanitarian supplies from Senegal to Guinea Bissau have to make various payments to government officials before reaching Bissau, IRIN learnt. Relief trucks have to pay 15,000 CFA (about US $25) on entering the country, OCHA-Guinea Bissau reported in its humanitarian situation report for 1-15 June. They also have to make unauthorised payments to the police at each checkpoint on the road from the border to Bissau, OCHA said. The delivery of humanitarian aid was blocked during May by Senegal’s closure of its border with Guinea Bissau. In the health sector, the risk of measles epidemics in Fulacunda and Ga-Mamudo were quickly brought under control due to immediate action by government health officials assisted by WHO and MSF, OCHA reported.