ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Friday said at least five Eritrean refugees were killed and several women were kidnapped as thousands of refugees fled after fighting engulfed in Ethiopia's Afar region.
The UNHCR said in a statement issued Friday that it is working with the Ethiopian authorities and partners to provide emergency aid to thousands of Eritrean refugees who fled Barahle refugee camp and its environs in Ethiopia's conflict-hit Afar region.
Refugees who trekked the long distance to Semera, the Afar regional capital, told UNHCR staff that armed men entered the camp on Feb. 3, stole their belongings and occupied their homes.
"According to their testimonies, at least five refugees were killed and several women were kidnapped. Family members lost one another in the chaos of fleeing the camp," the UNHCR said.
So far, more than 4,000 refugees are in Semera where UNHCR together with the Ethiopian government Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS) and other partners are providing immediate support with shelter, relief items, food as well as clean water.
Around 10,000 refugees are also reported to be living in Afdera town, approximately 225 km from the regional capital of Semera. Others are also believed to have fled toward the two inland towns of Altefa and Dabure.
The government has identified a temporary site in Serdo town, 40 km from Semera, where UNHCR, RRS and partners are making preparations in order to quickly relocate refugees.
"With yet another refugee camp severely impacted, UNHCR remains extremely worried about the safety and wellbeing of thousands of Eritrean refugees caught up in the conflict," the UNHCR said.
"We condemn the attack on the refugee camp and reiterate the call for cessation of hostilities to avoid further destruction and potential loss of life for refugees and Ethiopians alike, and so that much needed humanitarian assistance can reach them," the statement quoted UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov as saying.
In addition to the Eritrean refugees, there are also large numbers of internally displaced Ethiopians in the Afar region, including some 300,000 people uprooted by the recent fighting, the UNHCR said in the statement. ■
