Geneva, 20 July 2022 (TDI): United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi released a press statement on July 19, 2022, at the UN office in Geneva on the first UNHCR repatriation convoy that was pending since 2020.
In this convoy, 88 Congolese refugees will be leaving Angola for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov said: “All refugees want is to go home”
Press briefing this morning from UN @Refugees to @ONUGeneve on the first UNHCR repatriation convoy since 2020, leaving Angola for DR Congo.
📣”All refugees want is to go home”. @cheshirkov @Refugees pic.twitter.com/gb5QYBFmJb
— UN Geneva (@UNGeneva) July 19, 2022
Congo refugees in Angola
Since escaping political and ethnic violence in the Kasai area of the DRC in 2017, many people have not seen their relatives. More than 35,000 individuals crossed the border into Angola in search of protection.
The Angolan Voluntary Repatriation Program began in 2019. It was put on hold in 2020 due to the worse conditions of the highways and the Kasai River bridge.
As well as the COVID-19 epidemic forced border closures. In the first round of the campaign, about 3,000 refugees returned to the DRC.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and several partners are working with UNHCR, the governments of Angola and the DRC, and other parties to organize the voluntary repatriation.
UNHCR assistance to Repatriated Congolese
Despite the widespread instability and escalation of the armed violence in eastern DRC, which has resulted in 5.9 million people being displaced internally. Cheshirkov was reassured about the situation in other regions of the country.
He said: “Although conflict continues in eastern DRC, improvements in security in the west have re-opened the possibility for Congolese to return to their country in dignity and safety”.
In the upcoming weeks, additional convoys are planned to pass through the Chissanda border. The displaced people will travel to several places in western DRC.
Repatriated Congolese will be given financial assistance when they get to the DRC with basic expenses including hygiene, home goods, and rent assistance. Additional assistance for integration will also be given, such as aiding kids in enrolling in school.
UNHCR will continue to promote and support critical elements of reintegration into Congolese society. UNHCR will provide ongoing security, livelihoods, and aid with vital civil paperwork.
Student of BS International Relations in Kinnaird College for Women. Currently, working in 'TDI' as a contributor.
