The United Nations has appealed for aid to support the thousands of people who have sought refuge in Angola from the Democratic Republic of Congo due to the persistent violence in the country’s Kasai region.
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 20,000 new arrivals have been recorded since early April, with nearly 3,000 over the past few days.
“[We] continue provide food and relief items to those arriving [and our] partners are pitching tents and distributing plastic sheeting to provide adequate shelter, prioritizing the most vulnerable people,” Andrej Mahecic, a spokesperson for the UN agency, said at a regular media briefing at UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).
As the influx continues however, more resources are needed to cope with the demand. In particular, UNHCR has made an appeal for $6.5 million to provide immediate lifesaving assistance, including food, nutrition, health and relief items for refugees.
The refugee agency is working with Angolan authorities to identify a suitable site to relocate the refugees, from the temporary reception centres that have become overcrowded as the number of arrivals increase.
The agency also said many of the people who have been arriving in Angola of late have severe wounds and injuries, and have had to be transferred to local hospitals to receive urgent medical attention.
In this regard, the UNHCR says it airlifted first-aid kits, solar lanterns, tents, and plastic sheets and rolls.
According to the UN, fighting has killed at least 400 people, including two UN investigators, since government troops killed the chief eight months ago.
