COUNTLESS BALUBA TRIBAL FAMILIES ARE STILL FLOCKING FROM AFRICAN TOWNSHIPS AND JUNGLE HIDEOUTS IN KATANGA PROVINCE TO SWELL THE MANY THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES MASSED IN THE BALUBA CAMP ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ELIZABETHVILLE.

THE BALUBAS BRING WITH THEM FURNITURE, BEDDING AND OTHER BELONGINGS - BUT NO FOOD. OVER 30,000 REFUGEES HAVE BEEN CRAMMED TOGETHER IN THE CAMP FOR THE PAST MONTH, LIVING IN GRIM SQUALOR.

THE SHANTY TOWN SPRUNG UP EARLY IN SEPTEMBER WHEN RUMOURS WERE RIFE THAT MR. TSHOMBE'S KATANGA GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO ARREST OR KILL ALL BALUBAS. THE TRIBESMEN TOOK REFUGEE IN THE CAMP SET UP BY UNITED NATIONS TROOPS. BY SEPTEMBER 10, THE CAMP'S POPULATION REACHED 20,000. THREE DAYS LATER IT HAD SWOLLEN TO 30,000.

SINCE THEN, U.N. OFFICIALS HAVE SENT FOOD INTO THE CAMP, BUT MANY BALUBAS, HOMELESS AND BEWILDERED, ARE ON THE BRINK OF STARVATION. THE REFUGEES BECAME RESTLESS SEVERAL DAYS AGO AND ABOUT 40 OF THEM WERE KILLED IN A CLASH WHEN KATANGA POLICE AND U.N. TROOPS OPENED FIRE.