Republic of the Congo

2013 UNHCR country operations profile - Republic of the Congo

Working environment

The context

The political situation in the Republic of the Congo (the Congo) remains relatively stable. Despite the Congolese Government's efforts to implement a five-year plan to fight poverty, high unemployment persists and has led to considerable hardship, especially among young people. In these circumstances, refugees and asylum-seekers in urban centres and rural communities are forced to rely on the limited amounts of assistance available from UNHCR.

The Congo hosts some 121,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mainly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, but also from Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Chad. The protection environment has seen some improvements with the establishment, by the Government, of a working group tasked to develop an asylum law compliant with international standards.

UNHCR participates in the group and also supports the Government's efforts to improve refugee status determination (RSD) procedures.

The needs

A socio-economic study conducted in 2012 showed significant gaps affecting urban refugees in the areas of health care, housing and livelihoods. To fill them, UNHCR seeks to strengthen its activities aimed at improving refugee self-sufficiency.

Advocacy with the authorities needs to be intensified to pave the way for the gradual reduction of assistance to refugees and, ultimately, their local integration. The most vulnerable individuals, such as women at risk of violations of their human rights, for whom other durable solutions are not an option, will be referred for resettlement.

The repatriation of refugees from the DRC, which started in 2012, will continue in 2013, when it is expected that some 32,000 people will return home.

More than 1,000 asylum claims are still pending with the country's Eligibility Commission; action is needed to speed up refugee status determination procedure and reduce the backlog.

Main objectives and targets for 2013

Security from violence and exploitation

The risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is reduced and the quality of the response is improved.

• All known SGBV survivors receive support.

Fair protection process and documentation

Civil-registration and civil-status documentation are strengthened.

• All children under 12 months of age are issued birth certificates by the authorities.

The level of individual documentation is increased.

• All people of concern are provided with identity documents.

Durable solutions

The potential for voluntary return is realized.

• All refugees who express an intention to return to their countries of origin return voluntarily.

• All people of concern opting for local integration are able to do so.

Basic needs and essential services

The population has optimal access to education.

• All children of concern aged 6-11 are enrolled in school. The population has optimal access to reproductive health and HIV and AIDS services.

• All people of concern living with HIV and AIDS and eligible for anti-retroviral treatment receive it.

• All births are attended by skilled personnel.

The supply of potable water is increased or maintained.

• An average of 15 litres of potable water per person per day is made available.

Strategy and activities in 2013

UNHCR works closely with the Government and offers its expertise to ensure that national legislation on protection and asylum adheres to international standards. The Office will continue to lobby for the accelerated processing of pending asylum claims and aid the process by building the capacity of its governmental and national partners.

The voluntary repatriation of Congolese refugees to the DRC will continue to be facilitated by UNHCR. Some 32,000 individuals are expected to benefit from this programme in 2013. UNHCR will also advocate for the local integration of some 10,000 refugees in the north-east of the Congo who have opted to remain in the country.

With the invocation of the cessation clauses for Angolan refugees on 30 June 2012, and for Rwandans in 2013, UNHCR will assist those within these groups willing to return while providing protection to those still in need of it. For those not wishing to return, local integration will be promoted as a durable solution.

UNHCR will continue to monitor cases of arrest and detention of people under its mandate, intervene in all cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, and liaise with government counterparts in cases of discriminatory treatment.

As in 2012, UNHCR will provide medical, psychological and judicial support to survivors of SGBV and include them in livelihood activities in order to strengthen their economic independence.

Constraints

The remoteness and lack of infrastructure in some parts of the country are major challenges faced by UNHCR and its partners.

The deterioration of the security situation in some parts of the DRC, as well as in the CAR, could trigger a new refugee influx into the Congo.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

In addition to collaborating with the Government and non-governmental organizations, UNHCR will cooperate with UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP and WHO in food distribution and nutritional and health support. General coordination meetings, including sectoral meetings in field offices, will be held regularly.

Financial information

UNHCR's financial requirements for the Congo have seen a steady increase due to high costs for logistical support, assistance for refugees from the DRC and voluntary return programmes for Angolans, refugees from the DRC and Rwandans. As a consequence, in 2013, UNHCR's budgetary requirements for its refugee programme in the Congo will amount to USD 29.6 million.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 Update

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