More than 1,000 Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) nationals have fled into Zambia following fierce fighting by rebels in Dikulushi, 150 kilometres from Nchelenge district. Government has since sent defence personnel to screen them and asked the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to take care of the affected Congolese. Home Affairs Deputy Minister Kennedy Sakeni in an interview in Lusaka described the situation in Nchelenge as "not very serious."