Refugee repatriation comes to an end

This year's repatriation of Angolan refugees from Zambia has been halted after 17,659 people were assisted to return home. In a statement released today the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced that the repatriation of Angolan refugees had been stopped on 19 December. Over the last three years UNHCR assisted in the repatriation of 63,324 people to their country of origin. However, "considering the large number of Angolan refugees still remaining in the camps" UNHCR and the Angolan and Zambian governments would consult on the possibility of continuing the organised voluntary repatriation of refugees in 2006. The tripartite meeting will take place in January next year. "The government of the Republic of Zambia, UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), including other partners, had designated 31 December as the last day of organised Angolan repatriation. However, due to a limited number of travel-ready refugees, the last flight was on 15 December from Mongu Airport, with 58 returnees," UNHCR said. The UNHCR and the Zambian government attributed the success of the Angolan repatriation in 2005 to excellent co-operation and co-ordination among stakeholders.