Mali exodus underway as uncertainty takes over

Genewa, Swis | acehtraffic.com-  The world’s refugee population is ballooning, with a new exodus from Mali underway prompting the UN refugee organization in Geneva to say that 300,000 people inside Mali will need help and 407,000 in neighbouring countries in coming days. 

There are currently 147,000 Malian refugees, mainly in six countries in the region, a buildup since the conflict pitting the government against Islamist militants began a year ago.

Displacement across borders is rising, according to UNHCR: 2,744 Malian refugees have made it to neighbouring countries since 10 January, the start of airstrikes by the French and Mali government. About half are in Mauritania, with the others in Burkina Faso and Niger. Other countries with refugee groups are Algeria, Guinea and Togo.

“UNHCR is reinforcing its teams across the region to assist the internally displaced persons and refugees,” the Geneva-based agency said at a media briefing Friday 18 January.

 “Yesterday (Thursday) our budget committee met to approve deployment of dozens of specialists. In Burkina Faso, we have sent staff from Ouagadougou to monitor the border and to boost assistance in the refugee camps in Burkina’s Sahel administrative region.”

Close to 229,000 people are now displaced inside Mali, says UNHCR.| AT | QIS | Ganeva|