More refugees arrive

The number of refugees seeking asylum in Zambia from fighting in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has now reached between 200-300 a day, according to UN figures released on Monday.

The figures were provided following an assessment mission to Zambia’s northern border region by representatives of the UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and the Zambian Commissioner for Refugees.

The mission visited the Kaputa area in Northern Province on 17-18 March. The UNHCR said it had also revised the total number of new arrivals who entered Zambia since the beginning of the influx on 4 March to 10,000.

“In recent history, this is probably the largest refugee influx Zambia has witnessed over such a short space of time,” Oluseyi Bajulaiye, the UNHCR representative told IRIN. “Some 6,500 refugees are now concentrated in Kaputa while the rest are located in villages in the surrounding areas.”

Bajulaiye said the general humanitarian situation was still considered adequate although the infrastructure in Kaputa was clearly stretched to its limits. Two water bowsers and chlorination equipment have been sent to the town to ease water problems.

“We have also started rehabilitation work at Mwange camp to ensure that the refugees can be transferred as of next week which will help to decongest Kaputa and surrounding areas,” Bajulaiye added.

The UNHCR expressed concern about the road conditions in the area which have caused delays in the delivery of assistance. The government said it was reviewing the road situation as a matter of priority.

Bajulaiye indicated that preparations were also underway to respond to a further influx from the DRC. “Given the rapid escalation of this refugee influx, we cannot rule out further displacements,” he said