Over 500 Congolese asylum-seekers have fled into Zambia within a day, the biggest single entry of new arrivals in three years.
The 500 Congolese asylum-seekers were received on Wednesday 30 August 2017 through Chiengi, Kamponge and other border entry points in the north. The new arrivals are in addition to a sporadic and continuous stream that has characterised refugee inflows from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into Zambia over the past three years.
UNHCR Representative to Zambia, Ms Pierrine Aylara, confirmed the arrival of the over 500 arrivals, and believe that more are being hosted by local community and the agency, working with local authorities, is conducting a head-count to ascertain exact figures as the new arrivals are entering through different border entry points with some un-manned.
Working with the Government of Zambia through the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and, specifically, the District Joint Operations Committee (DJOC), as well as the Zambia Red Cross Society, UNHCR is providing basic humanitarian assistance to the new arrivals and who are currently relocated to Meheba Refugee Settlement in North Western Zambia.
“We have continuously been receiving a steady inflow of new arrivals from the DRC for some time now. UNHCR together with the host Government and the Zambia Red Cross Society, are doing everything possible in our limited capacity to protect and assist the new arrivals pending durable solutions. The limited resources available makes it challenging for us to effectively respond to the silent emergency. We call upon our generous donors to assist with additional funds to enable us address the basic humanitarian needs of new arrivals” said Ms Aylara.
From 1st January to 31st August 2017, over 3, 000 asylum-seekers from the DRC have been received in Zambia cumulatively, with August alone accounting for about a 1,000. In 2016, some 2, 893 Congolese asylum-seekers were recorded. Kaputa, Mpulungu, Nsumbu, in Northern Zambia, Kipushi, Kakoma, in Norther Western Province and Kasumbalesa, on the Copperbelt, have been the entry points.
As of 31 July 2017, the total population of Congolese in Zambia (asylum-seekers and refugees) was 25, 063.
Zambia currently hosts some 58,000 refugees and others of concern, mostly from Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Uganda. The vast majority reside in two refugee settlements – Mayukwayuka in Western Province and Meheba in North Western Province, while others live in urban areas or are self-settled in various locations.
Do you now see why we should cherish the peace in Zambia even more?
Comment:
Such a well endowed nation, the DRC, yet such misery, such insecurity. SAD!
That is why we should never vote in confusion and the confused party!
This is so sorrowful. Innocent citizens suffering because some rich man doesn’t want to give up power
I myself have had the unfortunate experience of seeing what war can do, when I hear and read words from tuma civilians such as “uprising” and calling for seperatism ati “Western Rhodesia” I just wonder what type of immaturity and ignorance some people are born with. You should never ever dare start a fire in an ammunition warehouse, that is what conflict is. War makes the educated beggars, the rich and proud cowards and destitute. Those of you abroad who often incite this evil for your selfish reasons will cry and panic to know the status of your loved ones, all material possessions will be lost, women and girls will be abused-daughters, mothers and sisters! Even men are not safe they also get ra.ped in wars FYI! Reality of war is hell and not to be toyed with.
The current unrest in Congo stems from the political uncertainty with Kabila and the unrest in the Kasai province following the execution of a traditional leader. Congo’s past is mired in misery and war. The Belgians brutalised those people beyond one’s imagination! A horse had a better life than an African during the dark days of the Congo Free State. Congo’s only salvation I believe will come after 500 years- even after 100 years that country will still be at war with itself because its pain goes deep! Such a sad state of affairs!
Bembas need to experience refugee status too cuz that way they’ll get to learn to be humble and more inclusive.
You can talk like that because you have never been affected. Try to be serious even for one second.
I benefited from refugees yaba utuma relationship FYANI , KULEMA CHABE with tuma blonde not vibuma vabakazi bapa ZED maka maka southern province and ba lozi very UGLY
When are your balls ever gonna be daddy ready you teenager?
Ba mzambia wa zimawe let’s not try to be regional or tribal. This is what we are trying to avoid at all cost, I mean wars to occur. Our brothers and sisters are running away in search of peace and zambia has given them that sanctuary.
We should always cherish and guard our freedom in Zambia. Our brothers and sisters running away from their country makes a sad reading. We should avoid by all cost to be used by selfish individuals who try to incite others for their personal benefit.