UNHCR repatriates almost 14,000 Angolans; stepping up pace ahead of deadline
UNHCR
spokesman, Adrian Edwards, explained to journalists in Geneva that group
refugee status will formally end on June 30 for people who fled Angola
during the country's 1965-75 war of independence from Portugal and
during the subsequent civil war, which ended in 2002.
"UNHCR
launched a new assisted return programme in late 2011 to help Angolans
return home from nearby countries, and we are now accelerating that
programme," Edwards said. "As of June 2, some 13,700 Angolans had gone
back with our help, including over 11,000 from Democratic Republic of
the Congo [DRC]. Some 35,000 more have asked for help in getting back
before refugee status ends."
The
recommendation to end group refugee status for Angolans was made in
January this year on the basis of fundamental improvements in the
country situation. Many of the roughly 600,000 people who fled Angola to
neighbouring countries have already returned home.
Since
mid-May, UNHCR has doubled the size of repatriation convoys from the
DRC for refugees returning to northern Angola. "Currently 1,200 people
are being returned weekly. These refugees are travelling from the
capital Kinshasa, as well as from nearby Kimpese in Bas-Congo province
and Dilolo in Katanga province, in south-east Congo. They are heading to
Uige province in northern Angola, where most of the refugees are
originally from."
UNHCR has
also ramped up efforts to promote voluntary repatriation of Angolans
from other African countries. Namibia relaunched return convoys last
month, with more than 3,000 Angolan refugees having registered to
repatriate.
Meanwhile
returns from Zambia are being done by chartered aircraft. In Botswana, a
recent "go-and-see" visit was organised to return areas to help
hesitant refugees make informed decisions about returning. "We are also
working with governments to increase the number of road convoys and to
use bigger planes to repatriate people, particularly for those returning
from the DRC and Zambia," said the UNHCR spokesman
In
Angola, the logistical challenges are substantial. In some areas,
returns by land are extremely difficult due to poor road conditions and
washed out bridges. "Our staff and those of our partners are working in
difficult circumstances to ensure that convoys run smoothly and that
people with specific needs, such as pregnant women, children and the
sickly, reach home safely and in dignity," Edwards said.
Currently
some 120,000 Angolans remain in exile, with the largest refugee
populations in DRC (81,000) and in Zambia (23,000). UNHCR is working
with host governments to consider local integration options for those
refugees who do not choose to return, in particular those with strong
ties to their country of asylum. Angolan refugees who don't want to
return for fear of persecution can apply to the authorities for an
exemption to the cessation clauses. If granted, those refugees will
retain the refugee status.
Original article here: http://www.unhcr.org.uk/news-and-views/news-list/news-detail/article/unhcr-repatriates-almost-14000-angolans-steps-up-pace-of-return-ahead-of-deadline.html
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