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Armed gang threatens UNHCR staff

    JOHANNESBURG

    An armed gang is terrorising UNHCR staff members working in the Maheba refugee settlement in Zambia's Western province, a UNHCR official told IRIN on Thursday.

    "A week ago an armed gang of about 12 attacked the UNHCR's office and killed a guard in the process," the official said, adding that in one month there have been two shooting incidents outside the offices, forcing staff members to flee the settlement to the nearby town of Solwezi.

    The official said the majority of refugees at the settlement are from Angola. "Although we cannot confirm the identities of the gang, it appears as if they are people with access to guns who have managed to infiltrate the settlement posing as refugees," added the official.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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