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UNHCR closes second season of Angolan returns; boosts assistance in return areas
14 Dec 2004 As the UN refugee agency winds down its second season of assisted repatriation to Angola, earlier returnees have shared their experiences with UNHCR staff, telling them that coming home is only the beginning of the long and sometimes arduous process of reintegration. -
UNHCR, WFP concerned about food cuts in Zambia
10 Dec 2004 Refugees in Zambia have seen their food rations halved in the last two months, said the UN refugee agency, warning that the deteriorating situation was not only detrimental to the health of the refugees, but could also compromise the return operation to Angola. -
Angolans fly home from Botswana as repatriation season closes
9 Dec 2004 Sixty-two Angolan refugees have been airlifted home in the first and last repatriation group this year from Botswana's Dukwi camp. UNHCR's Pumla Rulashe follows their emotional journey back to Angola. -
Model refugee will be missed upon return to Angola, say aid workers
9 Dec 2004 For years, Angolan refugee Xavier Pio was indispensable in Botswana's Dukwi refugee camp, teaching Portuguese and taking part in income-generating and awareness-raising activities. The camp is sad to lose him as he leaves for home, but they know that Angola will be gaining a model returnee. -
Love in the time of repatriation
18 Nov 2004 Led by UNHCR and supported by Africare and IOM, the Angolan repatriation operation from Namibia runs like clockwork, airlifting more than 1,000 Angolan refugees home so far. But sometimes love can temporarily throw a spanner in the works. -
"Merci mingi," Angolan returnee tells Congolese hosts
2 Nov 2004 A group of 219 Angolan refugees has arrived home on the second airlift in three months between Congolese capital Kinshasa and Angolan capital Luanda. The returnees were in high spirits, thanking UNHCR and their Congolese hosts in a mix of French and Lingala. -
UNHCR intensifies voluntary return operation to Angola ahead of rains
7 Oct 2004 The refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration have increased the number of flights from Zambia to Angola six-fold. Together with land convoys, these return movements have helped some 16,000 Angolan refugees home - half the total target this year. -
UNHCR starts airlift from Namibia to Angola's central highlands
24 Sep 2004 The first flight from Namibia's Osire camp to Angola's Huambo province brought 105 refugees home. Twice-weekly flights will follow, bringing more than 400 Angolan refugees home every week. -
Pace of Angolan returns from Zambia slower than expected, says UNHCR
17 Sep 2004 Only one-fifth of this year's expected number has returned to Angola so far due to logistical problems like poor road conditions, broken bridges and the presence of landmines. But increased airlift capacity could bring numbers up.