Bamako, Mali - At least 82,000 people displaced by rebel fighters in northern Mali. At least 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Mali and more than 22,000 others have taken refuge in Niger following attacks in Northern Mali perpetrated by Tuareg rebels of the National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA), according to a statement issued here by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Tuesday.

'These people left their homes and fields, losing their cattle in the process,' declared the ICRC leader for Mali and Niger, Juerg Eglin.

Several families, made up of young children, pregnant women and elderly people, are now living under trees and in open fields.

The ICRC, that has a bureau in Gao, affirmed that in the region of Kidal and the circle of Ménaka at the border with Niger, fighting had forced officials to suspend the vaccination campaign and treatment of livestock. The campaign began in December.

Pana 22/02/2012