GENEVA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said Friday it was alarmed at new displacements in the northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) where 7,000 Central African Republic (CAR) refugees in desperate need have arrived in under a week.
UNHCR spokesperson William Spindler said at a UN briefing here that the refugees, most of them women and children, are concentrated in the remote village of Kanzawi in DR Congo's northern Bas-Uele Province.
They fled violence in southeastern Central African Republic.
"The speed of arrivals and the very limited humanitarian presence in the area mean that people urgently need increased support," said Spindler.
UNHCR said its own capacity for an emergency response was severely stretched, with its DR Congo operation funded at 1.6 U.S. dollars for every 10 dollars needed.
"The refugees have reported fleeing fighting between two Anti-balaka groups in the area of Kouango, just across the border," said Spindler.
It is the latest in a series of refugee movements into northern DR Congo.
In less than a year, the number of CAR refugees in DR Congo has grown from around 102,000 to more than 182,000, not including the latest arrivals.
UNHCR said it was particularly worried about the situation of elderly people, pregnant women, and others with specific needs.
"There is only one water source in Kanzawi village, forcing people to drink from the river. Most of the refugees are sleeping in the open, others in public buildings," said Spindler.
UNHCR also praised the DR Congo for keeping its borders open to refugees.
