Attacks in Liberia force thousands to flee to Sierra Leone, UN refugee agency reports

An estimated 4,000 people have fled from Liberia to Sierra Leone following a rebel attack on the Sinje refugee camp, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported today.

UNHCR said the entire population of the Sinje camp - 11,000 Sierra Leoneans and 13,000 Liberians - fled during the attack last Thursday by a rebel group, which calls itself Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD). The rebels also attacked the neighbouring town of Sinje, forcing the population of 4,000 to flee.

The Geneva-based agency voiced grave concern about the fate of those dispersed in the attack. "The situation in Liberia, already quite difficult, has now worsened dramatically, putting at risk both Sierra Leone refugees and the local population," said David Lambo, UNHCR's Africa Director.

UNHCR also reiterated its appeal for the immediate release of five nurses working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who were abducted by the rebels from one of the agency's ambulances. The nurses were reportedly taken to Voinjama, an alleged rebel stronghold in northern Liberia, near the border with Guinea. Although the women initially radioed their head office in Monrovia to say that they were being treated well, no contact has been made with them since Saturday, according to the agency.