GRODNO, 11 November (BelTA) - Representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees got acquainted with the situation in the refugee camp on the border with Poland, BelTA reports.
A large group of refugees heading to the Belarusian-Polish border was seen near the Bruzgi checkpoint on 8 November. Migrants, most of whom are Kurds from Iraq, did not manage to get to Poland. They set up a camp near the Polish border. On 11 November, representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees visited the camp to get acquainted with the situation, and to deliver some humanitarian aid.
"The situation is catastrophic. In a day it will be even worse, I think. Something has to be done. Deliveries of humanitarian aid will continue," Head of the UNCHR Office in Belarus Mulusew Mamo said. The conditions prevailing in the camp are not the best, he noted.
IOM Chief of Mission in Belarus Mahym Orazmuhammedova also met with refugees. She urged the countries to pay attention to the humanitarian context of the situation and to resolve the situation in a humane way. In addition to humanitarian assistance, refugees were informed of the alternative opportunities in the current situation, including voluntary return to their homeland. It is important, Mahym Orazmuhammedova noted, to continue providing humanitarian assistance taking into account the individualities and rights of each person.
The fourth day in the camp proceeds calmly. Makeshift huts and even improvised houses are being built next to the tents. The number of refugees in the camp is estimated at over 3,000 people, including about 500 kids.
