HUNDREDS of people fleeing fighting between government forces and Unita rebels in eastern Angola have been crossing into neighbouring Zambia since early September, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A UNHCR official in the Zambian capital Lusaka said on Thursday that 200 refugees crossed over last month, while so far in October 500 more have sought refuge from the latest fighting. Most of the refugees, once screened, are being housed at the long-established Meheba centre in western Zambia, which over the years has become home to some 26000 Angolans. UNHCR is reviewing contingency measures as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, Zambia has also become the country of refuge for some 15000 people who fled fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are being assisted with European Union funding.– Irin