UNHCR tells Congolese refugees in Zambia to return home
23/9/2008 17:56
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in
Zambia James Lynch has advised the remaining 52,000 Congolese refugees in Zambia
to return home, the Post newspaper reported today.
Lynch told refugees in
northern Zambia last week that the conditions in most parts of that country are
suitable for repatriation with many towns and villages accessible by road and
former combat zones cleared of landmines.
The agency is offering security to
returning refugees as well as basic services, including schools, health, clinics
and potable water.
In recent weeks, UNHCR has embarked on a campaign to
promote repatriation by disseminating information by radio and going door-
to-door in the two camps of Kwala and Mwange in northern Zambia.
Since
voluntary repatriation began last year, 13,284 Congolese have gone home from
Zambia, and UNHCR plans to help 30,000 more return in 2009.
Xinhua
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