President's Annual Greeting Ceremony with Diplomats: Zambia’s President, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu, today held the Annual Greeting Ceremony with diplomats accredited to Zambia at State House in Lusaka. The UNHCR Representative, Ms Pierrine aylara, was in attendance. The President mentioned a number of things/initiatives embarked upon by his Government last year, and outlined some of his Government’s vision for 2018, with regard to enhancing economic and foreign relations. During his presentation, the President committed a good portion of it talking about refugees and the need for the international community to support the refugee cause, especially the Congolese emergency.

To date, a total of 3,053 Congolese refugees (1,078 households) have been relocated to Mantapala Refugee Settlement from Kenani Transit Centre. The most recent convoy was on Saturday 7 April 2018, with 303 individuals. The Government, through COR, has been leading the relocation exercises since they began earlier this year. As of now, all pregnant women and the chronically ill are not allowed to relocate due to the limited health services available in Mantapala Refugee Settlement and the harsh terrains that have to be crossed to get to the settlement. The poor state of the road between Nchelenge and Mantapala Refugee Settlement continues to be of concern to all stakeholders.

As of 31 May 2018, a total of 6,621 Congolese refugees (2,205 households) have been relocated to Mantapala Refugee Settlement from Kenani Transit Centre. Government, with support from UNHCR and IOM, expects the relocation exercise of the remaining 8,722 individuals to be completed by end of July 2018. The Government, through COR, has been leading the relocation exercises since they began earlier this year. The poor state of the road between Nchelenge and Mantapala Refugee Settlement continues to be of concern to all stakeholders.