Sahel attacks displace thousands of people
UNHCR has disclosed that the 12-month violence in Sahel has rendered thousands of people homeless.
This was contained in a summary of the violence the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees released on Friday 21 February 2020.
The spokesperson for the body, Andrej Mahecic decried the rate of violence, displacement and militia attacks on civilians.
“The violence has displaced many inhabitants in the affected areas. Consequently, they have fled their homes and sought refuge in neighboring countries,” he said.
Andrej also noted that the situations had posed challenge to the UNHCR and her partners. He stressed that it was difficult to provide the necessary support to the victims and refugees.
“The UN Refugee Agency and partners are facing severe challenges in accessing and responding to the needs of the displaced people. The refugees are everywhere in the Sahel region,” Mahecic said.
“About 150,000 people have fled in the last three weeks alone,” he added.
The countries under review in the summary are Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali
Following recent attacks in Tahuoa and Tillaberi regions in Niger including Chinagodar attack in early January more than 4,400 refugees have arrived Mali.
“They have joined another 7,700 displaced Malians in the same area. More people continue to cross the border between Niger and Mali,” an official disclosed.