The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Friday it had hired 40 trucks to help relocate 35,000 Sierra Leonean refugees and internally displaced people from Guekedou, southwestern Guinea, to safer areas.
IOM Spokesman Jean Philippe Chauzy said between 1,000 and 1,500 people were being moved daily from the Nyaedou and Katkama camps, located not far from Guekedou. "Once all trucks are operational, IOM expects to transport some 2,000 refugees per trip, making up to three round trips per day," he said.
Chauzy said more people were also arriving at transit centres for refugees who wish to return to Sierra Leone by sea. One of the ships involved in the repatriation, MV Overbeck, docked in Freetown on Friday morning with 257 returnees on board. Thus far, IOM has helped about 9,000 people to return to Sierra Leone, he said.
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