UNHCR Relocating Scores Of Congolese Refugees In Angola

An exercise has begun to relocate more than 33,000 Congolese refugees from overcrowded reception centres in northern Angola, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Tuesday.

UNHCR and its partners are moving the people to a newly established settlement in in Lóvua, approximately some 100 km further inland, away from the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

"The Angolan Government has allocated about 33 km2 of land to set up Lóvua settlement to improve the living conditions of refugees. All refugees will receive a plot of land to build shelters and grow food to supplement their food rations. Angola and UNHCR and its partners are ready to provide protection and assistance for up to 50,000 Congolese refugees by the end of this year." UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric .

UNRadio/GBC