Namibia on Tuesday commenced the repatriation of 96 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) back to their country.
The two-day exercise is a result of a successful collaboration between the government of Namibia, DRC and facilitation through UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
This is the first group of some 200 refugees and asylum-seekers in Namibia, who will be returning voluntarily to the DRC this year. Intention surveys and individual reviews carried out by UNHCR have ensured that these repatriations are informed and voluntary, allowing refugees to return to their country of origin in safety and dignity.
“We are very grateful to the government of Namibia for its generosity in providing sanctuary to people fleeing violence, persecution and human rights abuses and for supporting this group of Congolese refugees to go home safely,” said Monique Ekoko, UNHCR’s representative for the Southern Africa Multi-Country Office.
Ekoko said while conflict continues to generate displacement and insecurity in the largely rural eastern provinces of DRC, this group of returning refugees will travel to urban locations in DRC’s capital of Kinshasa and the city of Lubumbashi assessed to be suitable for return. Returning refugees told UNHCR they were excited to restart their lives after years in exile and that they are happy to be returning home.
Source : News Ghana