BRAZZAVILLE, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Republic of Congo and the UN aid agencies say they have begun distributing foodstuffs and other relief to some 25,000 nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who are taking refuge in the extreme north Likouala district.

The aid comprises food, canvas covers, cans and blankets which were thought to be insufficient considering the number of the refugees camping in about 20 towns and villages along the river Oubangui within a radius of 160 km.

"We cannot keep this aid as we wait for it to be sufficient. We have begun to give aid to you progressively as we receive it," a UNHCR official said on Thursday.

The DRC refugees fled from the inter-ethnic violence which broke out towards the end of October in Dongo village in Equateur province in northwest of the central African country.

According to humanitarian NGOs, the situation remains catastrophic on the ground and help is only dripping in.

The conditions of these refugees are very tragic and many of them are living in tents to shelter from the bad weather.