Thousands fleeing to Gabon

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.