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Thousands fleeing to Gabon

    NAIROBI

    Thousands of Congolese refugees have been arriving in neighbouring Gabon, affecting six provinces in the country, UNHCR said. In a statement received by IRIN, it said the number had climbed from 1,500 two weeks ago to an estimated 20,000. Fighting in the Republic of Congo has intensified, and more arrivals are feared after the town of Pointe Noire was reportedly
    shelled on Saturday. According to UNHCR, the majority of refugees are women and children. Some have been taken in by the local population but many others are sleeping in packed shelters of their own construction, or in the open. Some Congolese are already making their way to urban centres such as Libreville, Port Gentil and Franceville. UNHCR added that one of the most urgent needs was for safe drinking water, and the agency is
    planning six wells in several of the main shelter sites as well as trying to obtain purification kits for use elsewhere. WHO and UNICEF are preparing to vaccinate the most vulnerable recent arrivals.

    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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