More Congolese refugees enter Zambia

LUSAKA - More refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have continued entering Zambia following political unrest in that country, the official state-run news agency reported on Wednesday.

Tensions are high in DRC following the refusal of President Joseph Kabila to step down after his term expired.

About 233 refugees have entered the northern part of Zambia after intensified political unrest in that country, according to the Zambia News and Information Service.

Ministry of Home Affairs Chileshe Mulenga said Zambia has continued to record an influx of refugees from the DRC through various border entries.

He added that the Office of the Commission for Refugees was currently working closely with other law enforcement agencies to screen all the refugees before placing them in designated refugee centers.

Last week, the Zambia Red Cross Society deployed a total of 350 volunteers at border entry points with the DRC to deal with the influx of refugees from that country.

The humanitarian agency said it has provided assistance to over 1,000 refugees from the DRC in recent weeks.