Angolan Repatriation

United States Support for Angolan Repatriation

The United States is pleased to announce contributions totaling $6.3 million in support of Angolan refugee repatriation during 2005. These contributions include $3.2 million for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); $2 million for the International Organization for Migration; and $1.1 million for the World Food Program.

Since 2002, more than 300,000 of Angola's original 450,000 refugees have returned home. This year, UNHCR and its partner organizations anticipate assisting another 53,000 refugees through the organized return program, in addition to providing in-country assistance to refugees who return home on their own.

As 2005 is anticipated to be the final year for UNHCR's organized return program, the United States congratulates UNHCR and its partner organizations on their success to date. We also express our gratitude to neighboring states, including Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Namibia, for their generosity in hosting Angolan refugees over many years of civil conflict. We expect the Government of Angola will continue to facilitate the work of UNHCR as well as other international organizations and will invest the necessary resources to meet the long-term development needs of its citizens.

SOURCE: state.gov 2005/447 Released on April 27, 2005 Press Statement Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC April 27, 2005