Over 1,000 refugees arrive in Gabon

About 1,500 Congolese refugees arrived in Gabon on Tuesday after fleeing ongoing fighting and unrest in the Republic of Congo. A statement from UNHCR described the refugees as "malnourished" and in "poor health". They reportedly crossed over at the weekend into three provinces along the 1,000 km border stretch. Some 650 people are said to have entered the southern provinces of Nyanga and Ngounie, with another 800 arriving in Haut Ogoou to the north. UNHCR, WHO and ICRC "are bringing first aid and supplies and making arrangements to fly in blankets and purchase food locally", the statement said. Gabon is the second country to receive refugees from Brazzaville since rival forces restarted fighting late last year. Almost 32,000 have fled to DRC from the Pool region.