From ALEX NJOVU in Kitwe
GOVERNMENT has received funds from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to feed over 171 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nationals who fled their country and entered Zambia in the wake of renewed fighting between Mai Mai insurgents and government forces in Pweto.
Nchelenge district commissioner Joseph Chisakula said in an interview from Nchelenge yesterday that 27 Congolese families entered Zambia through Chiengi last Saturday.
GOVERNMENT has received funds from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to feed over 171 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nationals who fled their country and entered Zambia in the wake of renewed fighting between Mai Mai insurgents and government forces in Pweto.
Nchelenge district commissioner Joseph Chisakula said in an interview from Nchelenge yesterday that 27 Congolese families entered Zambia through Chiengi last Saturday.
“We received some money from UNHCR to buy food for our colleagues
from DRC who are still accommodated at Luchinde clinic,” Mr Chisakula
said.
He also said government has requested for tents from UNHCR to provide shelter for the refugees.
“We have requested for tents from UNHCR, we want to mount the tents for them because it has started raining. For now, we have not thought of moving them to another place,” Mr Chisakula said.
He said government is doing everything possible to meet all the basic requirements for the refugees.
“We are happy that the refugees are co-operating with us, they have not given us any problems for now and we are urging them to continue with the same spirit,” Mr Chisakula said.
The refugees entered Chiengi from Pweto town in the DRC after fleeing fighting between government forces and the Mai Mai rebels.
Mr Chisakula said Luchinde clinic is operating normally despite the presence of the refugees.
He advised Nchelenge residents to remain calm because Zambian security agencies are on high alert.
“We are appealing to our people to remain calm as there is no need to panic. They must go on with their normal daily activities,” Mr Chisakula said.
He said the refugees are refusing to go back to their country because their houses were burnt down during the fighting.
Mr Chisakula said government has put in place measures to ensure that the Congolese nationals do not leave the refugee shelter for security reasons.
“We addressed them and told them not to go anywhere in the district for security reasons. A few of them who have relatives in the district are with their relatives, but most of them are at the clinic where they are being watched over by security officers,” Mr Chisakula said.
He also said government has requested for tents from UNHCR to provide shelter for the refugees.
“We have requested for tents from UNHCR, we want to mount the tents for them because it has started raining. For now, we have not thought of moving them to another place,” Mr Chisakula said.
He said government is doing everything possible to meet all the basic requirements for the refugees.
“We are happy that the refugees are co-operating with us, they have not given us any problems for now and we are urging them to continue with the same spirit,” Mr Chisakula said.
The refugees entered Chiengi from Pweto town in the DRC after fleeing fighting between government forces and the Mai Mai rebels.
Mr Chisakula said Luchinde clinic is operating normally despite the presence of the refugees.
He advised Nchelenge residents to remain calm because Zambian security agencies are on high alert.
“We are appealing to our people to remain calm as there is no need to panic. They must go on with their normal daily activities,” Mr Chisakula said.
He said the refugees are refusing to go back to their country because their houses were burnt down during the fighting.
Mr Chisakula said government has put in place measures to ensure that the Congolese nationals do not leave the refugee shelter for security reasons.
“We addressed them and told them not to go anywhere in the district for security reasons. A few of them who have relatives in the district are with their relatives, but most of them are at the clinic where they are being watched over by security officers,” Mr Chisakula said.
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