UNHCR intensifies voluntary return operation to Angola ahead of rains

MONGU, Zambia, Oct 7 (UNHCR) - With only weeks to go before the start of the rainy season, the UN refugee agency has intensified the voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees from Zambia by increasing the number of airlifts and land convoys.

Under an arrangement between UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), flights have increased from one to six days per week between western Zambia's capital Mongu, Lumbala N'Guimbo in Angola's east and Huambo in the central highlands. An average of three such flights leave Mongu airport in a day.

The airports' processing capacities have also been boosted, with more room for returning Angolans.

Chinjenge Muyumbwa has been waiting 25 years for her flight. In 1979, she left Angola and arrived in Zambia's Mayukwayukwa camp with her husband. Now 57, she says going home is a dream come true.

"I feel very good. I will always remember this place," said Muyumbwa before leaving the camp to catch her plane at Mongu airport. "I lost my husband here in the settlement in 1992 and now I am going back to Angola with four children."

This year, UNHCR and IOM plan to fly 20,027 Angolan refugees home from Zambia. Another 12,218 are expected to repatriate on land convoys.

Overland returns are continuing from Zambia's Meheba camp to Luau and Luena in eastern Angola. UNHCR is also assisting the repatriation of 2,000 refugees in Meheba who recently said they wanted to return to Cazombo, also in eastern Angola. The convoys will keep going until the start of the rainy season in November, which may render roads impassable.

From the start of repatriation season in mid-June to early October, UNHCR and IOM have helped some 16,000 Angolan refugees to return from Zambia - almost half of this year's target of 33,000.