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UNHCR seeks to help refugees encamped at Monrovia office
12 Jun 2003 The UN refugee agency has met with the Liberian government to discuss ways to help hundreds of Sierra Leonean refugees seeking refuge around UNHCR's compound in the capital. The agency has also visited major displaced centres in a bid to locate more displaced refugees. -
UNHCR evacuates Monrovia staff amid concerns about Sierra Leonean refugees
10 Jun 2003 The UN refugee agency has evacuated its international staff after weekend fighting around the Liberian capital. Hundreds of displaced Sierra Leonean refugees have sought shelter at the UNHCR compound in Monrovia after fleeing their violence-hit camps. -
Tens of thousands displaced by fighting near Monrovia
6 Jun 2003 Resurgent fighting between government and rebel troops near the Liberian capital has driven tens of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people from their camps. This is on top of the over-23,000 Liberians who have sought refuge in western Côte d'Ivoire in the last two weeks. -
Fresh fighting drives new surge of Liberians into Côte d'Ivoire
3 Jun 2003 More than 2,000 Liberian refugees have fled fresh fighting in Plebo, south-eastern Liberia, and arrived in Tabou, south-western Côte d'Ivoire, in the last three days. This puts added pressure on the Ivorian town already overwhelmed by recent arrivals from Liberia. -
UNHCR tests anti-malaria tool in Sierra Leone's refugee camps
26 May 2003 The UN refugee agency has started testing insecticide-treated plastic sheeting in southern Sierra Leone's Largo and Tobanda camps. Participating refugees will put up the sheeting in their tents for six to 12 months to see if it is effective in keeping out malaria-carrying mosquitoes. -
UNHCR starts country-wide refugee census in Sierra Leone
23 May 2003 Together with the government and partner agencies, the UN refugee agency is in the process of counting and categorising refugees throughout Sierra Leone. This will help UNHCR to plan better programmes to assist and protect refugees, and culminate in the distribution of refugee identity cards. -
Liberian influx slows down; UNHCR tries to ease tensions with Ivorian hosts
22 May 2003 An estimated 15,000 Liberian refugees have arrived in south-western Côte d'Ivoire after fleeing the rebel advance in southern Liberia. The UN refugee agency is trying to minimise local tensions by sharing relief supplies. It is also pushing for the establishment of a proper refugee camp in Tabou. -
Liberians flee rebel threat in refugee-hosting south
20 May 2003 More than 10,000 primarily Liberian refugees have fled to neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire amid fears of rebel attacks in southern Liberia. The UN refugee agency has urged the rebels to respect and protect the civilian population, including refugees and third-country nationals hosted in the conflict zone. -
Lubbers hails peace process, spirit of recovery in Sierra Leone
16 May 2003 On mission in Sierra Leone, UN refugee agency chief Ruud Lubbers has praised the country's smooth transition to peace and the indomitable spirit of returnees and refugees on the road to recovery.