MONROVIA, Liberia, July 31 (UNHCR) – A month after their refugee status ended, more than 1,600 Liberians have returned home in the single-largest movements in recent years.

Last Friday, 1,566 Liberians were brought home on buses and barges from neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire. Another 79 were flown from Ghana to Liberia on a plane provided by the UN Mission in Liberia. Together, they made up the largest group of returnees in a single day since 2009.

This is a summary of what was said by the UNHCR spokesperson at today’s Palais des Nations press briefing in Geneva.

This weekend, two of the most protracted refugee situations in Africa will finally come to an end. On June 30, cessation clauses will enter into force for refugees from Liberia and Angola on the basis that these countries have both enjoyed many years of peace and stability after bitter civil wars.

GENEVA, June 7 (UNHCR) – Since being launched by UNHCR 20 years ago, the DAFI scholarship programme has helped more than 6,000 refugees from countries around the world to pursue life-changing higher education studies. Funded by Germany, DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) began in 1992 with 220 students from 16 countries. Today, it provides funding support for 1,700 scholars in 39 countries. The graduates have gone on to successful careers, including many who have returned to their countries to play an important role in rebuilding efforts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Legislative elections in Côte d'Ivoire held peacefully on 11 December 2011

• Tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees signed between UNHCR and the Governments of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea

• Large convoy repatriates 546 Ivorian refugees from Liberia to Cote d’Ivoire, on 7 December

• First voluntary repatriation convoy with 48 refugees facilitated from Togo, on 30 November

TOE TOWN, Liberia, December 9 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency is stepping up its voluntary repatriation operation for refugees from Côte d'Ivoire living in Liberia. On Thursday, UNHCR repatriated a group of 546 Ivorian refugees who had been living in the counties of Nimba and Grand Gedeh.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf declared president-elect after run-off election in Liberia on 8 November, boycotted by her opponent.

• Opposition supporters clash with police in Monrovia leaving at least one dead, on 7 November.

• New Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) in Côte d’Ivoire assumes office.

• Tripartite Agreement on the Voluntary Repatriation of Ivorian refugees signed between Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and UNHCR.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ivorian Commission on Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation commences its work.

• International Criminal Court announces investigation of crimes against humanity in Côte d’Ivoire.

• Number of Ivorian refugees in Liberia is now 159,000, following increased returns and a verification exercise.

• Tripartite Agreement for the voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees signed by Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and UNHCR.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In Western Côte d’Ivoire, 23 persons die in an armed attack on two villages near the Liberian border.

• In Ghana, three Ivorians are killed by unknown assailants, two near Ampain refugee camp and one near Eagle Star reception centre.

• In Liberia, 1,022 refugees are relocated to the camps, Toe Town transit centre closes.

LONDON, United Kingdom, August 2 (UNHCR) – A leading European telecoms operator, Lebara, has this week launched a fund-raising drive to support UNHCR-run programmes to help more than 100,000 displaced children go to school in six countries around the world.

The British-based Lebara, as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, plans to raise 600,000 euros in the eight countries where it operates: Australia, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Many of its customers in these countries are migrants or refugees.