More refugees expected - churches

Zambia is expected to experience a continued influx of refugees from Angola as fighting along the border goes unchecked, the ACT network of churches and humanitarian groups said this week in a project appeal document.

The Lutheran World Federation/Zambia Christian Refugee Service (LWF/ZCRS) are the implementing agencies in a US $1.9 million proposal to provide assistance to refugees crossing the Angolan-Zambian border and for their resettlement in Maheba (North West Province), Mayukwayukwa (Western Province), and Ukwimi (Eastern Province). LWF/ZCRS would act as the UN refugee agency UNHCR's lead agency in the three camps.

"The total number of new Angolan refugees in Zambia was estimated at 8,000 in November 2001. More refugees are reported to be moving into Zambia for safety and numbers are likely to swell during the first half of 2002. Destitution among displaced populations is predicted to increase. The refugees have little access to arable land and families survive on basic subsistence. They arrive in Zambia with no food and in poor health. In addition infant mortality is high and malnutrition prevalent," the appeal document said.

According to ACT, the areas most affected by fighting in Angola during the last quarter of 2001 were in Cazombo, Luvuei, Lumai and Lumbula Ngu'imbo. With Zambia's Nangweshi refugee camp having reached its 15,000 capacity, people fleeing into southern Zambia through the Shang'ombo border post are now being relocated to Mayukwayukwa. The majority of the refugees coming into Zambia are women and children.

The insecurity spilled over into Zambia in November when 133 Zambian villagers were abducted by Angolan soldiers, and seven were subsequently killed. The Zambian Defence Force, deployed to border positions and crossing points, subsequently killed 10 Angolan government troops in a clash.

"The movement of the refugees is adversely affecting immunisation and other health programmes of GRZambia in areas bordering Angola. The Angolan soldiers have also been looting Zambian villages and killing cattle belonging to Zambian villagers. Four hundred Zambian villagers in areas along the border were displaced during the month of November 2001," ACT said.