Government says Zambia will continue to implement the organized voluntary refugee repatriation programme in accordance with international standards and legal framework.
This is because more refugees living in Zambian refugee camps have shown interest in being repatriated.
Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary (PS), Ndiyoyi Mutiti, said focusing on the implementation of the repatriation programme would be of great help to Zambia.
Mrs. Mutiti said this in Lusaka today when she officially opened a two day fifth session of the tripartite meeting for the voluntary repatriation of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) refugees from Zambia.
She expressed gratitude that in the last two years since the implementation of the voluntary repatriation programme, a total of 70,015 DRC refugees have been repatriated and integrated into their local communities in their country.
Mrs. Mutiti said holding the fifth session tripartite meeting on voluntary repatriation demonstrates the zeal and commitment of Zambia and DRC to continue assisting more refugees to return home.
She has since appealed to all stakeholders to support the voluntary repatriation programme by assisting socially, economically and politically.
And United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) country representative James Lynch said for the last two years, it has been difficult to repatriate refugees to their countries.
Mr. Lynch however expressed happiness that DRC refugees were now more willing to return to their country.
Meanwhile, DRC General Secretary in the Ministry of Interior and Security, Byanza Sanda appealed to DRC refugees in Zambia to return home adding that DRC was now peaceful.
ZANIS/AJN/KSH/ENDS
Let them go back home, as long as there is peace in that country. Do we also have Zimbabwean refugees?
Only a country that is enjoying the fruits of peace like Zambia can give such support to refugees! Thank God for the peace we continue to endure.
#1 Dont be so quick to judge others, you dont know what tomorrow brings.
Let them go back home there is peace now
#1 and #4 do you know what VOLUNTARY repatriation implies?
#1 and #4 have no idea what VOLUNTARY repatriation implies. I work with refugees and you guyz , #1 and #4, want an insight into this issue pliz am a blog away! yes a lot of them want to go back, but some are a bit worried. I feel for them. Nway, lesa mukulu.