The number of Congolese refugees in neighbouring countries is estimated at 140,000 people.
The relative stability in certain zones in DRC and the instability in some others in neighbouring countries, such as South Sudan and Burundi, could encourage some Congolese refugees from neighbouring countries (Uganda, South Sudan, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Tanzania and Zambia) to return to their regions of origin.
In Eastern DRC, particularly in the former Province Orientale:
UNHCR’s efforts in 2015 were geared towards the integration and participation of Congolese returnees into existing community structures through peaceful coexistence projects, reintegration support and protection monitoring of violation of rights and GBV cases.
Regarding voluntary returns, 805 Congolese were repatriated from CAR (Zemio) in safety and dignity to Province Ituri and 256 Congolese returnees have been registered from Uganda and South Sudan.
Concerning the voluntary return for 2015 in North Kivu, there has been no convoy arranged for the 3,000 expected returnees planned for 2015. However, the spontaneous return of 5,629 refugees has been recorded.
In order to ensure peaceful coexistence between returnees and host communities, one school, one child delivery room, two “Comités Locaux Permanents de Conciliation” (CLPCs), one imagery room and two health centres were constructed and equipped. In addition, five facilities for community-based conflict resolution project were established. The project members of these social structures benefited from capacity-building training in conflict transformation and community awareness techniques on peaceful cohabitation.
As for community mobilization, eight CLPCs committees benefited from capacity support in term of supplies and office equipment.
Journalists from community-based radio stations were trained on conflict sensitiveness and on broadcasting. Similarly, all community members were involved in activities promoting peaceful coexistence through participation in community dialogues and the implementation of reconciliation projects.
The capacities of two health centres in areas of return were increased through construction of consultation and observation wards and radiography and echography room.
In order to facilitate biological follow up and antiretroviral treatment, a joint program with WFP and UNICEF was implemented and UNHCR provided two CD4 machines to heath facilities in returnee’s areas.
Eight agricultural cooperatives were put in place, members composed of returnees and local communities were supported and trained. This contributed to peaceful coexistence. 160 returnees attended professional training while 400 households received agricultural tools and seeds.
In North Kivu and Province Orientale, one monitoring and evaluation assessments of the reintegration in refugee return areas was conducted, reaching 97 returnees (40 female and 57 male). The assessment showed there are still some gaps in terms of protection, access to resources and access to services (heath and education).
It is expected that 35,000 Congolese refugees would return from both Rwanda and Uganda in 2017, most of whom, if not all, will be assisted by UNHCR.
In former Katanga Province, observers described the persistence of the movement of armed groups and the clash of these armed groups with the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC). They also anticipated negative outcome of forthcoming presidential elections which are some of the factors that hinder spontaneous return to DRC. Only 22 Congolese spontaneously returned from Zambia in Pweto and Lubumbashi in 2015.
Two primary schools and one health centre were rehabilitated and a vocational training conducted.
In 2015, the government of DRC had requested a tripartite agreement with the Government of Zambia and UNHCR to boost the intentions of return and thus repatriate its citizens. This commitment demonstrates an engagement of DRC Government for a mass repatriation from Zambia.
In 2017, Katanga is expecting a return of some 15,000 people.
2017