Refugees continue to cross into ROC

Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo are continuing to cross into an area of neighbouring Republic of Congo (ROC), which can only be reached by boat and where relief operations are “extremely difficult”, UNHCR said on Friday. “An estimated 25,000 refugees have settled in villages on the Republic of Congo side, stretching some 500 km from Betou in the north to Njoundou in the south,” UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond told journalists in Geneva. He said they were fleeing fighting between rebels and government troops.

“A continuing shortage of fuel and general insecurity in the area make UNHCR’s relief operation extremely difficult,” he added. “So far, we’ve managed to reach 13,500 refugees in 17 villages in the northern sector of Impfondo [with] plastic sheeting, fishing nets and soap.” Many of the refugees are fishermen and get their food from the river, according to UNHCR. The authorities in Brazzaville have reportedly said they would prefer that the refugees be settled in camps away from the border, citing insecurity and the risk of infiltration by armed elements.