"Old caseload" Angolan refugees could remain

As many as 30,000 "old caseload" Angolan refugees could opt for integration in Zambian society and stay behind when the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) begins its repatriation programme next year. "We estimate that between 20,000 to 30,000 might remain," UNHCR spokesman Kelvin Shimo told IRIN. "Some of these 'long stayers' have been here since 1966. Their kids were born here, they don't know Angola, these are people who think Zambia is home." Many of the old caseload refugees have set themselves up as successful traders and farmers, and no longer receive food rations from UNHCR. With the government considering a change to its citizenship laws, they may be allowed to legally settle and integrate, Shimo said. The government's proposed Refugee Bill would enable long-staying refugees to apply for citizenship on an individual basis. The bill is in line with the the Zambia Initiative, a government-led plan to coordinate donors' efforts to reduce poverty, and link relief and development assistance in Zambia's refugee-hosting areas. The Zambia Initiative also attempts to integrate refugees into local society. Zambia is home to more than 270,000 refugees, some 225,000 of which are Angolans. With peace secured in Angola, UNHCR plans to repatriate about 40,000 refugees in 2003 and 30,000 more in 2004. So far, up to 11,000 Angolan refugees have spontaneously left Zambian camps and border villages to return to Angola this year. However, the figures are based on official border crossings and the real numbers could well be higher, Shimo said. Zambia's oldest refugee camp, Mayukwayukwa, was set up in 1966 to welcome Angolan refugees from the country's independence struggle. Maheba, which also mainly houses Angolans, was built in 1971.