Returnees at a transit centre in Luau, eastern Angola. © UNHCR/S.Hopper
Dialogue on Voluntary Repatriation and Sustainable Reintegration in Africa

Considerable progress has been made in the year following the March 2004 Dialogue on Voluntary Repatriation and Sustainable Reintegration in Africa.

Held in Geneva on 8–9 March 2004, the UNHCR–organised forum brought together African leaders, donors and aid agencies to discuss the prospect of a record level of potential refugee repatriation and reintegration opportunities on the continent.

Since then, more than 350,000 refugees have returned home to nine African countries. 2005 will see thousands more repatriate voluntarily, with the planned completion of the Angolan return movement and the impending start of returns to southern Sudan.

UNHCR continues to stress the need for reintegration and rehabilitation to make these returns sustainable.

For details on developments over the last year, see Africa Dialogue 2005 Update here.


Return Updates
The latest on UNHCR's repatriation plans in selected countries.


Discussion Paper No. 1
Voluntary repatriation in Africa


Voluntary Repatriation in Africa: Levels and Trends 1993-2002
Repatriation statistics from the UNHCR Population Data Unit



Countries involved
Main actual and potential voluntary repatriation operations in Africa for 2004.


Discussion Paper No. 2
Sustainable reintegration of returnees and displaced populations in Africa

Voluntary Repatriation Fact Sheets, 2004
Information on UNHCR's voluntary repatriation operations in the East and Horn of Africa, southern Africa, West Africa and the Great Lakes and Central African Region



Africa Dialogue Update
Main voluntary repatriation operations in Africa in 2004 and 2005


Chairman's Summing up and Conclusions
Conclusions of the 8 March 2004 Dialogue on Africa return

List of Participants

Information Note
Background information on the 2004 meeting.


Multimedia:
View the video documentary 'Return from Meheba to Cazombo: The Road Home to Angola' and visit our multimedia page for more UNHCR web videos and photo galleries.

Agendas
of the 8 and 9 March 2004 meetings on voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration in Africa.