DRC-ANGOLA: UN agency begins repatriating Angolan
refugees
Source: IRIN
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KINSHASA, 19 December (IRIN) - The first 50 of at least 1,800 Angolan refugees have left Kinshasa, capital
of the Democratic Republic of Congo, for the northern Angolan region of Mbanza Kongo, an official of the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday."The UN Refugee Agency on Monday
launched a new operation phase for the repatriation of Angolan refugees living in the DRC," Jens Hesemann, UNHCR officer in charge of external relations, said.He said the 50 were among the group of
Angolan refugees considered most vulnerable, who had registered with the agency to return home before 30 December. The cost of the flights was met by the Angolan government, Hesemann said."The
entire operation, when fully realised, will consist of three flights of 150 passengers per day from Ndjili airport in Kinshasa to Mbanza Kongo and Uige in Angola," he said.The repatriation, he said,
would continue until the end of December, with a break over Christmas. Transporting the refugees by air is the only available option because roads had been rendered impassable during the recent rainy
season, Hesemann said.At least 120,000 Angolan refugees are living in the DRC. The UNHCR estimates that by the end of 2006, about 21,000 Angolan refugees will have returned home by plane and by road
since the start of the UNHCR-assisted return programme in 2003.Each refugee was allowed 40 kg of luggage. All those returning to inaccessible areas due to road conditions received cash subsidies.
Others received an assistance package upon their arrival in Angola. This standard return package consists of items such as kitchen utensils, non-food items, and food, Hesemann said. The Angolan
government is in charge of vaccination against yellow fever for all returnees. UNHCR's responsibilities include transport to the closest point to the refugee's original residences in the return zones. ei/js/mw
