The repatriation of Congolese refugees in 2023: progress towards regained dignity
In 2023, repatriation programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) enabled the dignified return of 698 Congolese refugees. This announcement was made by the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the DRC, Angèle Dikongue Atangana, during a briefing with the diplomatic corps and United Nations agencies in Kinshasa.
Beyond Congolese refugees, these programs also facilitated the repatriation of 6,690 refugees from Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Rwanda. A laudable initiative which is part of international efforts to end refugee status and allow displaced people to return to their country of origin.
Angèle Dikongue Atangana underlined the importance of the work carried out by UNHCR on the ground, emphasizing the community approach: “All our interventions are community-based. We act not only in favor of refugees, for whom “We have a mandate, but also in favor of internally displaced people in the DRC and countries hosting displaced people. We strive to include indigenous populations and vulnerable families in our assistance actions.”
However, despite these advances, UNHCR requires additional funding to continue providing assistance to people on the move. The UNHCR Representative in the DRC stressed that humanitarian needs remain significant, both for refugees and internally displaced people.
UNHCR, through its villagization and basic infrastructure strengthening programs, also contributes to the construction of schools, health centers and the payment of teaching and medical staff. But this represents only a tiny part of the efforts needed to respond to the scale of the humanitarian crisis in the DRC.
Angèle Dikongue Atangana reminded donors present during the briefing that the task is colossal and that additional resources are essential to continue supporting refugees and internally displaced people.
The repatriation of Congolese refugees and the need for additional funds highlight the importance of international solidarity and the commitment of humanitarian actors in resolving the migration crisis in the DRC. It is crucial that governments, international organizations and the international community continue to support these initiatives to enable refugees and internally displaced people to rebuild their lives with dignity and security.