GUINEA* (23 May)
Planting of the 2005 crops has started in most areas of the country, after significant rains were received in April. Access to food continues to be negatively affected by high inflation and high prices for rice which is the main staple.
The repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees in Guinea was completed in July 2004, while that of Liberian refugees is underway. About 9 000 Liberian refugees have been repatriated since the beginning of the operation in November 2004. Although the restoration of peace in Sierra Leone and the improved situation in Liberia have resulted in a decrease of the number of refugees in Guinea, the country still hosts a large number of refugees. In June 2005, according to UNHCR statistics, there are around 69 000 refugees living in different camps, in addition to some 80 000 IDPs and over 100 000 returnees from Côte D’Ivoire in 2002 in Guinea Forestière and Upper and Middle Guinea.