UN asks for help to DRC refugees

Congo: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) asked for US $700,000 to look after refugees of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Likouala, said UNFPA representative David Lawson Monday .

David Lawson said that they still had enormous needs concerning reproductive health which amount to $500 000. Regarding violence against women, they had recorded two to three cases a week, he added.

“We need at least $200,000 by the end of the year to prevent these”, he said after visiting northern Congo’s Likouala district.

“There is still much to be done. Over the last three months we’ve counted 1,200 pregnant women refugees and 720 births,” Lawson said, appealing to the international community to come up with more funds.

UNFPA is part of the UN agencies and assists about 120,000 refugees who fled fighting in DRC’s Equateur province since October.

According to aid agencies, between 70% and 80% of the refugees are women or children who are living in vulnerable conditions.

Refugees are settled in Likouala, along the Oubangui river, which forms the natural border between the two countries. UN authorities , the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed an agreement on the voluntary repatriation of the displaced persons June 10. Brazzaville, Prensa Latina