The relocation of Sierra Leonean refugees from camps in eastern Guinea, resumed last week after months of interruption due to heavy rains and poor road conditions, UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond said on Friday in Geneva.
The refugees are being moved from the Gueckedou area, near the border with Sierra Leone. New sites have been identified in Faindou, Katkama and Guelo, all located more than 100 km from the border.
"For the security of the refugees and to avoid uncontrolled infiltrations of armed elements across the border, the main objective remains to move 50,000 refugees from the border area," Redmond said.
Better road conditions and an improved trucking fleet should allow the relocation of 5,500 refugees by the end of the year, UNHCR said. An average of about 400 refugees and their belongings are moved in daily convoys.
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