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Chad conflict scuppers UN mission for refugees

GENEVA - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) yesterday warned that renewed fighting between government troops and rebels in eastern Chad has limited its access to refugee camps amid a heightened sense of insecurity.

GENEVA - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) yesterday warned that renewed fighting between government troops and rebels in eastern Chad has limited its access to refugee camps amid a heightened sense of insecurity.

The fighting has heightened tensions and concerns among vulnerable sections of society, the UN refugee agency said.

"Refugees, internally displaced persons as well as the local population have told the UNHCR that they live in fear that the already volatile situation may worsen," UN high commissioner for refugees spokesman Andrej Mahecic told journalists.

Refugee camps housing about 210000 people from the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur "are starting to suffer the consequences of the volatile situation" as UNHCR and its partners only had limited access because of the violence, he said.

The renewed violence blocked over 130 humanitarian aid workers from different organisations in the town of Hadjer Hadid for over a week. - Sapa-AFP

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