Chad refugees face water crisis
2004-01-26 09:09
Abeche, Chad - The UN refugee agency said on Sunday that it would be a major challenge to cope with over 100 000 impoverished Sudanese refugees who have spilled across the border into Chad.
The refugees are attempting to escape increasing violence in their homeland.
"Logistically speaking, this mission is a major challenge. Water is the main problem in this arid region," said Yvan Sturm, UN High Commissioner for Refugees coordinator for eastern Chad.
"We have to sink wells to reach the water table. For 100 000 refugees, we will have to spend about two million dollars just on the wells," he said.
He said an additional problem was safety, as refugees choosing to remain close to the border were in danger of coming under attack.
"Indeed, it is because of problems of security that we have pushed back to this week the distribution of food and equipment in the south between Ade and Tizi," Sturm added.
The Sudanese army and armed militias have waged a fierce battle against rebels in the Darfur region since February 2003.
- SAPA