Guinea: Refugees and Citizens Trapped in "Parrot's Beak" Region

March 8, 2001

Over 100,000 refugees and thousands of Guinean citizens are trapped in a small area of southwestern Guinea that juts into Sierra Leone known as "La Langue de Guekedou" or "Parrot's Beak." Waves of attacks in the region have turned the area into a war zone and humanitarian assistance and protection are no longer possible.

MSF is urging for the immediate evacuation of vulnerable populations to safe locations in Guinea.

Until recently, Guinea has been able to keep peace within its borders, while receiving around 120,000 Liberian and 330,000 Sierra Leonean refugees. The civil war and unrest has now spilled over into Guinea.

Since the arrival of 100,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Parrot's Beak in 1998, MSF has been advocating the relocation of refugee camps away from the borders where they are threatened by rebel incursions.

"Urgent action is needed before it is too late. If the relocation is not being implemented immediately, MSF fears a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region and we may face soon a major humanitarian crisis", said MSF International President Morten Rostrup, MD.

Tags: Guinea

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