Tanzania: 95,000 DRC arrivals in the last year

Fighting between the Mai Mai and rebel forces in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has driven 95,000 refugees from the DRC to Tanzania since last August, putting a huge strain on already overcrowded refugee camps near Kigoma on the Lake Tanganyika. 35,000 people have fled across the lake over the past two months alone.

The new arrivals come from the Fizi area of the DRC. They report that there are many more would-be refugees waiting to cross the lake, but are unable to do so for the lack of boats.

The two Congolese refugee camps (Nyarugusu and Lugufu) are overflowing now. There is urgent need for food supplies and the full food basket is no longer available.

The immediate plan is to extend the Lugufu camp until an appropriate new site can be found.