On 7 February, 160 Congolese DRC refugees returned home. The refugees repatriated back to the Province of Equator in DRC Congo, which neighbors Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR), where most of these refugees were living. Most had fled insecurity in their home country less than a decade ago. The decision to return was not an easy one. Many spoke of a “situation turned upside-down” as their country of asylum, CAR, became worst than their country of origin. One returnee, Françoise, said “I used to have nightmares of what I had lived through back in Congo, now CAR became an even worst nightmare.” She also explains that the situation has since improved in her home city, where she is happy to be reunited with family and friends. The repatriation was done by boat, as the refugees crossed the Oubangui River from Bangui (CAR) to Zongo (DRC), where they were received by the Mayor. They spent the night in a transit center before continuing their travel to their hometowns, namely Gemena, Gbadolite and Bozene.

This repatriation operation is the third emergency voluntary repatriation UNHCR has organized since the escalation of the crisis in CAR. To date more than 360 refugees have chosen to repatriate home. Additional groups of Congolese refugees will be departing within the coming weeks by boat and by plane.

By Hugo Reichenberger, Reporting Officer, reichenb@unhcr.org