Formal refugee returns begin

Angolan refugees departed from camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday, in the first phase of a voluntary repatriation programme spanning three countries in the region. On day one of the operation more than 500 Angolan refugees are returning to M'Banza Congo in northwestern Angola and Luau in the eastern reaches of the country, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) said. The first convoy is carrying refugees who have been living in camps in DRC's Bas Congo province to M'Banza Congo, while the second convoy is transporting refugees previously residing in DRC's Katanga province back to Luau. The convoys are expected to arrive at reception centres in M'Banza Congo and Luau in Angola late on Friday. The returnees will spend their first few days at these centres, where they will be provided accommodation, food, any necessary medical assistance and training sessions on landmine awareness and HIV/AIDS prevention, UNHCR said. Prior to leaving the centres for their home communities, returnees will be provided with a supply of food rations by the World Food Programme and various non-food items such as blankets, kitchen items and plastic sheeting. Later in the year, they will receive seeds and farming tools to support them in achieving self-sufficiency. Some 400,000 Angolan refugees are estimated to be in DRC, Zambia and Namibia. The Angolan voluntary repatriation programme is planned to take place in a phased manner as Angola recovers from nearly three decades of civil war. In early July, repatriation is planned to begin from Namibia to Caindo and Menongue in the southern province of Kuando Kubango, and from Zambia to Cazombo in Moxico province. Additional destinations will be added as the minimum conditions are established in areas of return, including accessibility by road, a relatively low mine risk and basic health, education and water services. Since the time of the signing of the peace accord between the government of Angola and UNITA rebel forces in April 2002, close to 130,000 Angolans have spontaneously returned home, according to government figures.