Lisbon approved plan for refugee repatriation

Portugal approved a plan on Thursday to repatriate some 4,000 refugees who were victims of the recently ended war in Guinea Bissau, the Portuguese news agency Lusa, reported on Friday. "The vast majority of these refugees are not registered with the UNHCR," Khassim Diagne, the UNHCR regional public information officer, told IRIN on Friday. The Portuguese plan, which will be implemented by the International Organisation for Migration, covers the cost of transport and a stipend for the reintegration of refugees into society, Lusa said. The refugees have until 15 October to register for voluntary repatriation. After this date they will forego Portuguese government stipends.