Congolese refugees now number about 20,000, UNHCR says

The number of refugees from the Republic of Congo now in Gabon has reached 20,000, mostly women and children, UNHCR said on Tuesday.

Just two weeks ago, when aid workers, including UNHCR staff and government officials, were able to travel to border areas, the refugees' number had been estimated at 1,500. Fighting in Congo worsened late last month and more arrivals are feared after the main port, Pointe Noire, was reportedly shelled on 17 July, UNHCR said.

The UN agency has distributed limited quantities of medical supplies, food and blankets and is arranging for more local food purchases. UNHCR staff reported that some refugees had been accomodated by locals, but that many were sleeping in the open or in packed shelters they themselves had built. Some have begun moving to towns such as Libreville, Port Gentil and Franceville, UNHCR said.

The refugee agency said one of the most urgent needs was for safe drinking water. It said it was planning to place six wells in main shelter sites and trying to obtain purification kits for use elsewhere, while WHO and UNICEF were preparing to vaccinate the most vulnerable recent arrivals.

Additional UNHCR personnel have arrived in Gabon and more may be sent, UNHCR said. The local Red Cross will help distribute relief items, while Medecins Sans Frontieres has sent a team from Paris to evaluate the refugees' situation, it added.