UN refugee envoy begins mission to Chad

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) arrived in Chad today to take a first-hand look at the UN’s efforts to help the tens of thousands of refugees there from Sudan and the Central African Republic.

Ruud Lubbers will hold talks with Chadian President Idriss Deby, government ministers, the local heads of UN agencies and staff from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He is also scheduled to visit refugee camps.

An estimated 110,000 Sudanese have crossed the border into eastern Chad in the past year to escape fighting in the Darfur region in Sudan’s west. Many of the refugees are living in makeshift shelters along the border and have been subject to raids by militia, prompting the UNHCR to set up safer camps further inland.

Another 33,000 refugees from the neighbouring Central African Republic have moved into southern Chad to escape conflict in their homeland.

Mr. Lubbers began his mission in N’Djamena, the Chadian capital, two days later than expected because of flight cancellations over the weekend.