UNHCR – Practically 6,000 Congolese refugees return dwelling from Zambia with UNHCR help

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Company, with the governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has helped practically 6,000 Congolese refugees to return dwelling since December 2021. 

The refugees fled political and inter-ethnic clashes within the DRC’s southeast area in 2017 and located security in Zambia.

They’ve expressed pleasure and pleasure at returning dwelling and wanting ahead to reuniting with household and mates and beginning their lives anew. 

Refugees have been issued voluntary repatriation paperwork and have acquired expedited immigration clearance, well being screening, safety, meals and water previous to returning. Kids account for practically 60 per cent of the refugees.

Kids born in Zambia have been issued delivery certificates as proof of their identification. The Ministry of Training issued switch paperwork to schoolchildren, enabling them to proceed their training within the DRC.

These with particular wants are being supported by caregivers from Zambia’s Ministry of Group Growth and Social Companies to make sure they journey in security and dignity.  

Voluntary repatriation of refugees from Mantapala settlement in Luapula province to Pweto in Haut-Katanga province in DRC started in December 2021. The refugees have been transported on buses in weekly convoys of roughly 600 folks to the Lunkinda border publish. Whereas components of the nation stay extremely insecure, different areas like Haut-Katanga have been secure, permitting for the returns.

Greater than 11,000 Congolese refugees are registered to return to DRC by the top of 2022 following the declaration of improved safety in some areas of Haut-Katanga province. 

At a UNHCR transit centre in Pweto (DRC), the place the returnees are accommodated for 2 days, Congolese authorities concern documentation, together with delivery certificates for new child infants and college certificates, to permit them to shortly combine and entry companies. UNHCR’s well being companion additionally conducts medical screening, and instances with particular wants obtain fundamental therapy.

Returnees additionally obtain money help to assist cowl fundamental bills upon arrival dwelling. This covers transportation to their vacation spot, hygiene and home goods, and preliminary hire help. Based mostly on household dimension, a month’s provide of pulses, maize meal, oil and salt can be given to returnees. 

Further reintegration help, comparable to serving to youngsters in enrolling at school, can be offered. 

UNHCR will proceed to advocate with the Authorities of the DRC and conventional authorities, who’re crucial companions of their reintegration, for the enrollment of youngsters in faculties, safety, entry to employment and provision of key civil documentation.  

The voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees is carried out on the premise of the tripartite settlement signed in 2006 by UNHCR and the Governments of Zambia and the DRC.

Over 18,000 Congolese have lived in Mantapala settlement, the place they acquired livelihood abilities, together with farming, carpentry and artisan crafts. 

In accordance with a country-wide verification train, Zambia hosts 95,677 refugees, asylum-seekers and former refugees. These embody 60,236 from DRC. Practically 1,000,000 Congolese refugees are nonetheless hosted in neighbouring international locations.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees dream of going dwelling in security and dignity. Voluntary repatriation requires a full dedication by the nation of origin to assist reintegrate its personal folks and the persevering with help of the worldwide group.

UNHCR’s monetary requirement for Zambia this 12 months is US$24.4 million and US$225.4 million for the DRC. As of 20 September, nonetheless, the operations have been solely 23 per cent and 35 per cent funded respectively.

For extra data on this subject, please contact:

• In Lusaka, Kelvin Shimo, [email protected], +260 97 958 5832
• In Kawambwa, Bruce Mulenga, [email protected], +260 97 748 0191
• In Kinshasa, Joel Smith, [email protected], +243 825257774
• In Pretoria (regional), Hélène Caux, [email protected], +27 82 376 5190
• In Pretoria (regional), Pumla Rulashe, [email protected], +27 82 377 5665
• In Geneva, Boris Cheshirkov, [email protected], +41 79 433 7682
• In New York, Kathryn Mahoney, [email protected], +1 347 574 6552

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