Conakry — Cuts in funding to Liberian refugees has led many young women to turn to prostitution to raise school fees, the Jesuit Refugee Service says.

At the end of the school year 2004-2005 the UN High Commission for Refugees withdrew funding for refugee schools in the south of the country. The funds were redirected elsewhere to meet development needs in Liberia. The measure was meant to encourage repatriation of Liberian refugees.

One of the affected schools is St Mary's Parish Refugee School. When it was closed, the parents organised a semi-private school and families are asked to contribute 20 to 30 US dollars, besides other expenses. However, the girls who want to study at all costs are looking for other ways to earn money, according to a Fides report.

A refugee whose daughters are pupils of the school told JRS staff in Guinea: "It is impossible for refugees without any income to meet these demands. Some of our girls even turn to prostitution to pay school fees. The situation is unhealthy, prostitution is seen as a way to make money fast and they unthinkingly expose themselves to the risk of being infected by HIV/AIDS and other diseases."

Sr Maria Irizar, directress of JRS Guinea, said: "We are aware of this growing tendency. These refugees live in very difficult situations. Some families feel they are not yet ready to return home. But at the same time some services in camps such as secondary schools have been stopped in order to concentrate funds on rebuilding projects in Liberia."