2 Aug 2012

BURKINA FASO / MALIAN REFUGEES

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres accompanied by the United States Assistant Secretary for Population Refugees and Migration, Anne Richard, visited the Damba refugee camp in Burkina Faso to show support for a region that can barely feed its own people. UNHCR

Posted at: August 2, 2012 3:58 pm

Duration: 02:22

Available in: SD

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Full script

STORY: BURKINA FASO / MALIAN REFUGEES
TRT: 2.22
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE:  1 AUGUST 2012, DAMBA CAMP, BURKINA FASO

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres and Anne Richard, Assistant Secretary population refugees and migration welcomed by refugees in Damba camp
2. Various shots, António Guterres and Anne Richard visiting registration center  
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Abdou Raouf Gnon-Konde, UNHCR, Burkina Faso:
"We have put a lot of strength In terms of communications because that was the key of the success of such operation for people to understand the importance of registration "
4. Wide shot, António Guterres and Anne Richard walking in refugee camp
5. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR:
"I think that what is very important to underline is that we have now 250.000 refugees from Mali. With an enormous level of suffering and deprivation, they have crossed the borders of very poor countries that face dramatic food security problems Niger, Mauritania and Burkina Faso, they found an enormous generosity in their host countries that are sharing everything with them but they did not find until now the attention of the international community and we are struggling to provide them with basic needs."
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Anne Richard, Assistant Secretary for population refugees, and migration: 
"We know that a little help can go a long way and so I am hoping that we can bring more donors to learn about the situations and to take positive actions."
7. SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:
"So my appeal to the international community and I am very happy that I am joined by the Assistant Secretary of State, Anne Richard, my appeal is for the international community is to show the Malian refugees, as well as to the Governments of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania, the exact same solidarity that these Governments and these people have been to express the Malian refugees."
8. Wide shot, António Guterres and Anne Richard walking into a refugee tent
9. Wide shot, António Guterres and Anne Richard talking with the UNHCR staff and refugee
10. Med shot, two young boys on their mother's lap
11. Tilt up, from mothers hands  to children
12. Wide shot, delegation walking in the camp

STORYLINE:

More than a quarter million people have fled Mali in the last six months as fighting erupted between government forces, Tuareg rebels and various armed groups.

Thousands have come here to Damba Camp, in Burkina Faso.

SOUNDBITE (English) Abdou Raouf Gnon, Konde, UNHCR Burkina Faso:
"We have put a lot of strength in terms of communications because that was the key of the success of such operation for people to understand the importance of registration "

The registration will take place in all official sites in Burkina Faso for the next weeks. Refugees can at least feel safer in the camp than in their home country 
UNHCR is struggling to get funds to help the Malian refugees.

SOUNDBITE (English) Anne Richard, Assistant Secretary Population Refugees, and Migration, United States:
"We know that a little help can go a long way and so I am hoping that we can bring more donors to learn about the situations and to take positive actions."

Guterres and Richard were invited by some refugee families to their shelters.
 
Raichatou fled Mali with 13 members of her family including her mentally handicapped son and her grand children. They arrived in Damba refugee camp last February from Gossi.

She told Guterres and Richard that they fled with a donkey, some water and little food, and walked for two weeks before reaching safety in Burkina Faso.

SOUNDBITE (English) António Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees:
"My appeal to the international community and I am very happy that I am joined by the Assistant Secretary of State, Anne Richard, my appeal is for the international community is to show the Malian refugees, as well as to the Governments of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania, the exact same solidarity that these Governments and these people have been to express the Malian refugees. "

Despite a recent $US10 donation from the USA and contributions from European countries, the refugee agency has only received $US38.6 millions out of the $US 153 millions. That is only one third of what is needed.

In addition to the refugees in Burkina Faso, there are also 96,000 in Mauritania and 53,000 in Niger. Another 174,000 are internally displaced within Mali.

Filed under UNHCR - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.