Church appeal for Angolan refugees

The Zambia Christian Refugee Service (ZCRS) of the Lutheran World Federation has launched an appeal for US $890,765 to assist 47,000 Angolan refugees in eight transit and two settlement camps it manages in the country.

In an appeal received by IRIN, ZCRS said the war in Angola, especially in the Moxico province which borders Zambia, causes a continued influx of Angolan refugees into the western and northwestern provinces of Zambia. “The original appeal had estimated 5,000 new refugees crossing into Zambia between September and December last year, but instead the number rose to over 15,000 by the end of the year,” ZCRS said.

ZCRS said the total appeal target amounted to about US $2,9 million and that it had already received pledges for US $103,986 in cash and about US $1,9 million worth of contributions in-kind. It said the completion date of the appeal is being extended from the original date of 30 April to 30 September this year.

“The main reason for the extension is the increase in the number of new refugee arrivals,” ZCRS said. “It is expected that the influx will continue until the fighting stops and peace is re-established in Angola.” The ZCRS said as more Angolan refugees flee into Zambia, it needs more resources to cover refugee requirements at transit centres.