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From: IRIN <IRIN-WA@irin.ci>
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Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2001 14:14:35 -0000 
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Subject: GUINEA: IOM, UNHCR to evacuate 20,000 refugees [2010105]
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GUINEA: IOM, UNHCR to evacuate 20,000 refugees

ABIDJAN, 5 January (IRIN) - The International Organization for Migration
(IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) plan to begin repatriating 20,000 Sierra Leonean refugees from
Guinea beginning on Monday, the IOM said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday appealing for emergency assistance, the
IOM said air and sea operations had been planned to "provide safe and
orderly emergency transportation" for Sierra Leonean refugees who had
volunteered to return home. They are fleeing fighting that has spilled from
across the Sierra Leone border into previously safe areas in southern
Guinea.

A UNHCR spokeswoman told IRIN on Friday that the agency had agreed to work
with IOM "to facilitate repatriation" of refugees who wish to return to
their country.

IOM estimates that 328,000 Sierra Leoneans had taken refuge in neighbouring
Guinea. Most are located either within or near the conflict areas of the
country's southeast. The repatriation effort that begins on Monday will last
two months and cost some US $2.23 million. Of this, the United Kingdom and
Denmark have contributed a total of $675,000, leaving a shortfall of $1.56
million.

"IOM will assume full responsibility for managing the sea operation as of 7
January 2001, while the airlift will be considered at a later stage," the
statement said. 

[ENDS]

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