ICRC News 22 / 15-Jun-00

Sierra Leone
Reaching out to the displaced

Thousands of people from various parts of Sierra Leone have fled to safer
areas since hostilities resumed in May. The first major movements were
recorded on the Lungi peninsula, just north of Freetown. The ICRC and the
Sierra Leone Red Cross Society have carried out two surveys so far to
assess the assistance required. Tarpaulins, sleeping mats, blankets,
buckets and soap are now being distributed to over 5,700 families (some
42,000 people) according to need.

People fleeing from the northern towns of Makeni and Magburaka started
arriving in the town of Mile 91, a strategic crossroads east of Freetown,
in early June. Red Cross staff have found displaced people in 11 different
villages. So far, 1,376 families have been registered along the road
between Masiaka and Mile 91 itself. When added to the 1,933 families
registered in Mile 91, this brings to 3,309 the number of families (or some
21,000 people) currently receiving urgently needed shelter and non-food
assistance in the sector. (In the Lungi and Mile 91 areas, other agencies
are distributing food.) While providing relief, ICRC and Sierra Leone Red
Cross staff continue to monitor the influx of new displaced people and to
plan for future assistance.

To facilitate the tracing of their loved ones, the ICRC and Sierra Leone
Red Cross have also handed out Red Cross message forms to people separated
from their families by the renewed fighting.

Further information: Juan Martinez, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++ 41 22 730 22 81


During the weekend of 17 - 18 June 2000, for all information please call
the press officer on duty Amanda Williamson, on (mobile) 41 79 217 32 16