UNHCR prepares aid for CAR refugees in DRC

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is preparing to send urgently-needed shelter material and basic household supplies to an estimated 25,000 refugees fleeing violence in the CAR capital Bangui who arrived in northwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a UNHCR spokesman said on Tuesday. “Many of the refugees fled with few belongings and are living among the local population around Zongo [on the DRC side of the Oubangui River border], often in very rudimentary shelter. We’re worried that the onset of the rainy season will make it even worse, so we’re sending plastic sheeting and other household items,” the spokesman said, noting that the refugees were in “relatively good physical condition”. The influx of refugees has severely strained the local water and sanitation systems of Zongo, which previously had a population of 40,000. The NGO, MSF, conducted a nutritional survey and found no signs of malnutrition among the refugees, many of whom are fishermen or small traders. While the first group of refugees crossed into the DRC several weeks ago, following the failed 28 May coup attempt, others were reported to still be arriving. Meanwhile on Wednesday, CAR Prime Minister Martin Ziguele, in an interview with Radio Centrafrique in Bangui, urged citizens to return to their homes and to be wary of rumours circulating about continued violence. “People should not panic on the basis of the rumours. They should return to their homes and go about their business. Our main concern today is to do whatever is necessary so that people can return to their homes [...] and go about their business, because we cannot allow our countrymen to live in the forest, live abroad [...]. This is an appeal I am making to all our countrymen, that they go home, not give in to fear. Should there be any are problems, they should contact the government so that we can respond to the security needs of the people.”