Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bishkek (Fides Service) - While tension is still high in eastern Uzbekistan and clashes between insurrectionists and government troops continue, more civilians fleeing the fighting are heading for the border with Kyrgystan. The situation of refugees is beginning to give rise to concern in the international community and a UN High Commission for Refugees UNHCR team has reached the border between Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan to assess the needs of hundreds of Uzbek refugees.
On arriving at the border the team of three operators sent from the UNHCR office in capital of Kyrgystan Bishkek confirmed that 560 Uzbeks have reached the town of Suzac, in the Jalalabad Oblast region of Kyrgystan. Suzac lies about 50 km north east of the town of Andijan the scene of recent violent clashes in which at least 500 people were killed. Most of the new arrivals are men with their families and about 20 are injured. Many more including women, children and old people are still on the Uzbek side of the border waiting to enter Kyrgyzstan.
It was the Kyrgystan authorities who requested UNHCR’s assistance when it was known that more than 500 people had reached the province of Jalalabad Oblast. The UNHCR offices in Kyrgystan immediately sent supplies of blankets, soap. Clothing and water cans and more aid is on the way from Kazakstan to the Kyrgy-Uzbek border. Kyrgystan officials have asked for tents, food and medicine. UNHCR welcomed the statement by the Kyrgystan authorities that the country’s borders will remain open to people in need of international offered protection.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2005 righe 25 parole 258)
