Aid groups, UN move refugees to safety after W Equatoria clashes
Aid groups, UN move refugees to safety after W Equatoria clashes
Radio Tamazuj, 28 Jan 2016
URL: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/article/aid-groups-un-move-refugees-safety-after-w-equatoria-clashes
Thirty Congolese refugees have been rescued from their hiding places in Ezo county of Western Equatoria state and brought to safety in Makpandu refugee camp in Yambio county, said refugee agency UNHCR.
The refugees had been living in Ezo for several years after fleeing fighting in their own country, but were displaced again following clashes between 'Arrow Boys' and South Sudanese government soldiers over the last month, UNHCR said.
The refugees were transported by UNHCR, South Sudan's Refugee Affairs Commission, and World Vision under armed guard of peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Ezo is in the far west of Western Equatoria state, along the Central African Republic border. Makpandu is some 220 kilometres to the east in Yambio county.
UNHCR said they will continue to rescue any of the 3,200 refugees who were living around Ezo as needed, though the majority of the displaced refugees already fled to Congo or CAR.
UNHCR said the recent fighting has forced them and other aid groups to halt their regular relief work in Ezo because the situation is too volatile with violence continuing in January.
The agency said Ezo's school and hospital were looted and homes were burnt to the ground during the recent clashes. One of the refugees who was rescued, called 'Pierre,' told UNHCR he was abducted by a militia during the fighting and forced to carry supplies.
"I thought it was the end of the world," said Pierre. "I was in my fields when the fighting began. I dropped everything and rushed home to get my wife and children, but on the way I was taken by armed youth."
Pierre was eventually released.
Meanwhile, UNHCR said at least 15 people were killed and thousands displaced by more fighting in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria state, between government forces and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement.
The refugees had been living in Ezo for several years after fleeing fighting in their own country, but were displaced again following clashes between 'Arrow Boys' and South Sudanese government soldiers over the last month, UNHCR said.
The refugees were transported by UNHCR, South Sudan's Refugee Affairs Commission, and World Vision under armed guard of peacekeepers from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Ezo is in the far west of Western Equatoria state, along the Central African Republic border. Makpandu is some 220 kilometres to the east in Yambio county.
UNHCR said they will continue to rescue any of the 3,200 refugees who were living around Ezo as needed, though the majority of the displaced refugees already fled to Congo or CAR.
UNHCR said the recent fighting has forced them and other aid groups to halt their regular relief work in Ezo because the situation is too volatile with violence continuing in January.
The agency said Ezo's school and hospital were looted and homes were burnt to the ground during the recent clashes. One of the refugees who was rescued, called 'Pierre,' told UNHCR he was abducted by a militia during the fighting and forced to carry supplies.
"I thought it was the end of the world," said Pierre. "I was in my fields when the fighting began. I dropped everything and rushed home to get my wife and children, but on the way I was taken by armed youth."
Pierre was eventually released.
Meanwhile, UNHCR said at least 15 people were killed and thousands displaced by more fighting in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria state, between government forces and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement.