Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Violence in Sudan's Darfur State Sends Thousands Fleeing to Chad

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The United Nations refugee agency reports more than 11,000
   Sudanese refugees have fled to Chad this month to escape violent,
   inter-communal violence in West Darfur State.

   The situation in West Darfur has continued to worsen since a dispute
   between Arab and African ethnic groups ignited violent clashes in El
   Geneina in late December.

   The U.N. refugee agency reports that last week alone, 4,000 people fled
   to neighboring Chad in search of safety.

   The agency says most of the refugees are among some 60,000 people who
   have been internally displaced during previous fighting in Darfur.
   UNHCR officials say they expect as many as 30,000 Sudanese could cross
   the border into Chad in the coming weeks as tensions increase.

   UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch says new arrivals give accounts of
   widespread destruction and of being forced to flee after their
   villages, houses and properties were attacked, with many homes burnt to
   the ground.
   

References

   Visible links
   Hidden links:
   1. file://localhost/africa/more-20-dead-many-displaced-after-violence-sudans-west-darfur

.