Govt, UNHCR, Donors and IOM visit Kala Camp

Kala Refugee Camp, Kawambwa, Zambia – A high-level delegation of senior officials from the Zambian Government, Donors, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) April 28 visited Kala Refugee Camp in Kawambwa District in Zambia’s Luapula province, ahead of the 2009 start of the Congolese voluntary repatriation programme on May 9, 2009.

The presence of the high-level visit, UNHCR representative James Lynch said, would present an opportunity to interact with the refugees and our staff; witness first-hand life of refugees and the challenges they face. They would view the preparations made by UNHCR and its partners for the voluntary repatriation programme. The UNHCR Representative further explained to the refugees that the repatriation exercise is voluntary and that his agency was ready to assist the refugees who came forward for repatriation.

“I call upon all Congolese refugees in Zambia to voluntarily take advantage of this exercise so they return home in safety and dignity.” Mr. Lynch said. “UNHCR stands ready to assist anyone of you as long as you come forward.”

During the meeting with the refugees, after a tour of clinics, schools, community skills centres, water points and markets in camp, the delegation urged the Congolese refugees to seriously consider voluntary repatriation because conditions which led them to flee the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) no longer existed.

Home Affairs Deputy Minister Bonshe informed the refugees that Government, with the help of its co-operating partners had put in place all necessary logistics to resume the voluntary repatriation in May. He thanked the Donors for showing strong interest in the refugee programme. He therefore urged all Congolese refugees in Zambia to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation assistance available.

EU Head of Delegation, Dr. Fee, on behalf of EU Ambassadors, also urged the refugees to consider voluntary repatriation as Donor aid for the care of refugees will not be in perpetuity.

The High-level delegation was headed by Zambia’s Home Affairs Deputy Minister, Misheck Bonshe, his Permanent Secretary, Ms Ndiyoi Mutiti and the Ministry’s Commissioner for refugees, Mr. Jacob Mphepo. Donors accredited to Zambia on the delegation were Dr. Derek Fee, the European Union (EU) Head of Delegation, United States Ambassador, Donald Booth, British High Commissioner, Thomas Carter and Swedish Ambassador, Lars Ronnas. Others were UNHCR Representative, Mr. James Lynch and IOM Head of Mission, Mr. Josiah Ogina.