Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
N’Djamena (Agenzia Fides) - “There are about 5 thousand refugees from Chad in the Catholic parish church in Kousseri, diocese of Yagoua, Cameroon,” Agenzia Fides was informed by Sr. Lucia of the Congregation of Sisters of Saint Joseph in Cuneo, who work in the mission of Mora in Cameroon.
“These people are in need of food and medicine. The Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese has brought food supply, but it will soon run out, as it is very far away from the city. Yagoua is 600 kilometres from Kousseri,” the religious sister explained. Kousseri is located along the border with Chad, close to N’Djamena, Chad’s capital. There was a mass exodus of people from N’Djamena who escaped when fighting broke out between Chad’s army and rebel forces. “The fact that the city’s centre is only 17 kilometres from the border with Cameroon has made for an easier escape, although the Logone River runs along the border and if the bridge is closed, the people must use canoes to get across.”
Sr. Lucia recalled some of the dramatic episodes that have taken place in recent days: “When the bridge between Chad and Cameroon was closed, many people crossed the river by night in canoes. Some of the canoes tipped over, causing the death of some, including children. The nights without moonlight have certainly worsened the situation. However, the bridge is open now and many cars with Chad license plates can be seen crossing over it.”
Sources from the Church in Cameroon told Fides that the local Caritas has immediately begun to work, offering aid to the refugees from Chad. Priests from Caritas have been sent to Kousseri and to the capital city of Chad in order to coordinate humanitarian aid efforts. The Holy Father has sent a donation via the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/2/2008 Lines: 27 Words: 331)
