(07 October 2011, UN News Center)--The United Nations refugee agency has opened a new camp in western Ethiopia as hostilities in Sudan’s Blue Nile state continue to drive thousands to flee the country.
Adrian Edwards, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters today at a press briefing in Geneva that 533 refugees had already been moved to the new camp, located in the town of Tongo, from the border areas of Kurmuk, Bamza and Almahal.
Over the past month more than 27,500 people have fled Blue Nile to Ethiopia and South Sudan, amid fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N).
Mr. Edwards noted that while refugees had previously been mostly women and children, more men were arriving at the camps, bringing belongings such as livestock with them to help make a living in Ethiopia.
“At the beginning of the influx, the new arrivals were mainly women, children and the elderly – generally in good health. Men were staying behind to look after properties. Recently, however, UNHCR staff at the border points have seen larger numbers of men arriving, and more injuries. FULL ARTICLE AT UN News Center »
Over the past month more than 27,500 people have fled Blue Nile to Ethiopia and South Sudan, amid fighting between the Sudanese army and rebels with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N).
Mr. Edwards noted that while refugees had previously been mostly women and children, more men were arriving at the camps, bringing belongings such as livestock with them to help make a living in Ethiopia.
“At the beginning of the influx, the new arrivals were mainly women, children and the elderly – generally in good health. Men were staying behind to look after properties. Recently, however, UNHCR staff at the border points have seen larger numbers of men arriving, and more injuries. FULL ARTICLE AT UN News Center »
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