18 June 2009
Luanda — The representation in Angola of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced Tuesday that the number of the Angolan refugees in its care fell to 100,000, the lowest figure since the end of the armed conflict that devastated the country for more than thirty years.
Addressing a press conference, the UNHCR representative to Angola, Bohdan Nahajlo, attributed the reduction of the number to the process of repatriation and reintegration carried out by the Angolan government with the support of that agency.
According to him, the cooperation between the two agencies led to the repatriation and integration of 400,000 refugees between 2003 and 2007, adding that voluntary returns still continue.
The official also noted that there are 12,710 foreign refugees in the Angolan territory, mostly
from DR Congo, whereas 810 are from other countries including Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia,
Eritrea, Iraq, Cote d'Ivoire and Chad.
On the eve of June 20, devoted to refugees worldwide, the UNHCR estimates that there are 67 million refugees worldwide.
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It is good that Angolan refugees have shown positive interest to return to their mother land, Angolan soils but the RULING Government, NGOs and other charitable are realising the main objective of the repatriation and important of HUMAN DIGNITY.
It seems simple to understand but refugees who returned to Angola in 2003 to 2007 are not recognised by the Government more especially in Moxico Province. Humilation and human rights voilation still exists among the returned communities. Well qualified personnel including those that were employed by the Zambian Ministry Departments, whether in the refugee camps or in urban areas are not considered for employment in the Government system. Fortunately, NGOs has obsolved most of the personnel and are able to sustain thier livelihood.
On behalf of the returned communities, I would request UNHCR and other NGOs to conduct a surye to find the reality and see how people are abondoned in the ruarl areas more especially along Luena - Lumbala Nguimbo. Please make a random investigation to see if reintergration is there. Yes repatriation is effected BUT NOT reintergration. In fact I would recommend UNHCR just to say Angolan refugee repatriaton program excluding Reintergration because it is not consdered in Angola as part of the program.