Freetown, Sierra Leone (PANA) - In
collaboration with the International Migration Organisation (IMO), the
UNHCR said it has resumed repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees from
Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire.
UNHCR spokesperson Francesca Fontanini
said 26 Sierra Leonean refugees from Liberia and 23 others from Cote d'Ivoire
were flown to Freetown Tuesday.
The returnees were among some 648 Sierra Leoneans who asked for voluntary repatriation due to the fighting in both neighbouring countries, she explained.
She said an average of 30 refugees would be flown in to Lungi International Airport near Freetown twice a week until all the 648 refugees are brought home in two months.
Meanwhile, Fontanini said Liberian refugees continued to flee into Sierra Leone, citing that about 730 individuals of 440 families were shuttled from Jendema, Bombohun, Gbaa, and Dar-Es-Salaam crossing points.
About 670 individuals of 318 families are refugees, while 60 individuals of 22 families are returnees, she explained.
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