Refugees figures top 7000
…More than 7, 978 refugees flock into Zambia due Congo DR’s political uncertainty
CONGOLESE refugees running into Zambia for fear of being killed have increased to 7, 978 from 6, 000, Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo has confirmed.
“In Nchelenge as we stand now as of this morning we are at 7, 978 and then we have also Chipungu town where we have got about 113.
“So what that means is that the current camp (Kenani) capacity is getting overwhelmed,” Mr Kampyongo said.
He said government’s focus for now was making sure that the new camp sites which had been identified and agreed upon for permanent settlement were developed as quickly as possible.
Mr Kampyongo said government through his ministry was mobilizing resources with the help of the United Nations Country representative because the new camp needed to be opened up. “I will be travelling back to Nchelenge to make sure that the preparations of the new sites commences,”
“Ultimately, what we are trying to see is some political stability in Congo.
“You have seen what happened in Zimbabwe where people can easily come together and move on a situation unlike seeing people running away from their own country.
Mr Kampyongo said government with its cooperating partners would ensure that apart from constructing camps for the refugees, other social amenities would be provided.
When asked if he had a timeframe for constructing new camps foe the refugees, Mr Kampyongo said it was not easy to give timeframe because it depended on when resources would be available.
Mr Kampyongo said government was alive to the fact that the matter was urgent.
He said the rate at which the refugees were entering Zambia had not changed much from the previous 100 per day.
“The flow of people has almost remained the same,” Mr Kampyongo said.