Among the latest arrivals were people who said that eight villages along the Meli River were attacked and burned last Tuesday, they believed by RUF rebels. The authorities continue to restrict entry to the vulnerables, suspecting that there are a substantial number of RUF combatants in the groups of asylum-seekers. Authorities report that several have appeared to be heavily drugged and aggressive. Meanwhile, there is no confirmation of how many people are still waiting on the other side of the border. Refugee estimates last week ranged as high as 10,000.
Conditions are very bad, with cold and rainy weather prevailing in the region.
One pregnant woman and three children have reportedly died. Some of those on the other side of the border have reportedly retreated to nearby villages to seek some shelter. Since May, a total of 12,500 new refugees have arrived from Sierra Leone, both in Gu ck dou and For cariah. Guinea is already hosting 330,000 refugees from that country. Texts and graphics may be reproduced freely, under the condition that their origin is clearly referred to, see Conditions .