Attachments
A total of 10,851 individuals (2,922 families) had cumulatively been repatriated since the first phase of the voluntary repatriation programme from Mantapala settlement started in December 2021 all the way to January 2023.
In the month of April, 10 cases comprising 44 individuals were submitted to the USA, Finland & Canada for resettlement consideration. Overall, 111 cases/432 individuals have been submitted to various countries.
During the month of April, a total of 6,283 (M:2,802; F:3,511) individuals accessed the health services in the three settlements. Children under five comprised 21.3% (1,343) of the total attendance.
Operational Context
The Government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security (MHAIS) leads and coordinates the refugee response in line with its commitments under the Global Compact on Refugees (CCR) and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF). The 2017 Refugees Act constitutes the main legal framework governing refugee matters in Zambia. The Office of the Commissioner for Refugees under MHAIS leads the implementation of the Act and is the main government interlocutor on refugee matters.
Within the UN system, UNHCR is the lead agency on refugee matters. It provides protection and assistance to refugees across various sectors and in collaboration with other UN agencies and stakeholders. The response to the ongoing arrival of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is coordinated by an Inter-Ministerial Committee composed of key line ministries, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and UNHCR. The Ministry of Home Affairs chairs the Committee.
WORKING WITH PARTNERS
In line with the Global Compact on Refugees and the Sustainable Development Goals, UNHCR works closely with the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Resident Coordinator’s Office in mobilizing, building partnerships and collaborating with other line ministries, UN agencies and stakeholders in responding to and meeting the needs of refugees.
The coordination and management of refugee settlements is led by the Government through the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees and in line with the Refugee Coordination Model. UNHCR supports the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees and works in partnership with the United Nations Country Team development partners, NGOs, faith -based organisations, the private sector and academia.