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The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has increased its presence in Rwanda's western province of Cyangugu, following an influx of refugees from the troubled city of Bukavu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The agency reported on Wednesday that approximately 2,000 refugees had entered Cyangugu since fighting broke out last week between rival units of the Congolese army.
It added that more than 1,900 of the refugees had registered for UNHCR assistance since 26 May. Many of the displaced had found shelter with friends and relatives in Rwanda, the agency said, but an additional 950 were at the UNHCR Nyagatare transit centre in Cyangugu.
UNHCR said it was looking into expanding the capacity of the Nyagatare centre to accommodate up to 2,000 people. It added that further expansion would be possible should additional space be required.
Additional relief supplies including blankets and jerry cans, to boost existing stocks at the Nyagatare centre, had been sent, the agency said. It added that UNHCR officials had also been in contact with the UN World Food Programme to arrange for emergency rations.
"We are watching the situation closely as it develops to be able to respond quickly if more people cross the border," Kalunga Lutato, the UNHCR representative in Rwanda, was quoted as saying.
He added, "The local response has been very positive so far, both on the part of the local authorities and from non-governmental organisations."
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
