The UN Refugee Agency, the UNHCR, began a new emergency airlift today for refugees in eastern Chad. It says the airlift will bring relief supplies from around the world; they?re expected to arrive in Chad by Saturday.
English to Africa reporter Kim Lewis spoke with UNHCR spokesperson Jennifer Clark and asked her to give us the details of this latest operation.
Ms. Clark said the first flight will be from Denmark and will bring supplies such as plastic sheeting, prefabricated warehouses, and four-wheel-drive vehicles. She says the operation is in a race against time because in just a couple of weeks, the rainy season will start, making it difficult to reach the camps.
One hundred twenty-five thousand Sudanese refugees are now in Chad, and there?s concern that more will arrive if the situation in Sudan?s western Darfur region does not improve.
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