Forced repatriation of Angolans to DRC

The MENTOR Initiative Responds with Emergency Malaria Control for Returnees

On October 4th the expulsion of Angolan refugees began from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Approximately 40.000 Angolans have been expelled from and have been arriving in the provinces of Zaire (28.000), Uige (7.800) and Cabinda (2.000). For the most part these returnees have come with few belongings and are destitute because of rapid nature of the expulsion. There are an estimated total of 120.000 Angolan refugees living in DRC and there is currently high fear amongst Angolans living in DRC that the official expulsion, which has currently been halted by the Congolese government, will resume or continue by local authorities. Angolans continue to return voluntarily because of this high level of fear and current interventions for the returnees are inadequately serving the needs of the returnees.

75% of these returnees have entered through the province of Zaire and many settled in the largest camp called Mama Rosa, others settling in smaller camps: Lendi and Casilhas. The Ministry of Social Reinsertion (MINARS) deployed its personnel to the municipalities of M’banza Congo, Kuimba, and Soyo to assist in registration of repatriated persons and organize the transportation of the repatriated Angolans to their point of origin.  Many of those returning have lived in Congo for more than 30 years, and quite a number have never actually been to their family lands.

It is in these camps where The MENTOR Initiative’s team, who currently are working on a long-term malaria control programme in Zaire, are assisting with emergency supplies of anti-malarials, diagnostics, and distribution of malaria prevention tools. Rebecca Luckett, Country Director of The MENTOR Initiative indicated,

“Urgent resources are needed to protect the most vulnerable. There are many who are unsheltered and at risk of increased exposure to bites by malaria carrying mosquitoes. This will be further impacted by the upcoming rainy season, when malaria transmission increases in this region”.

Although the forced repatriation has stopped, sufficient fear has developed amongst Angolans-living-in DRC, and voluntary repatriation continues on a daily basis. The government is currently planning to establish a permanent camp in M’banza-Mazina, the site of the previous repatriation camp. The government has identified areas of need, including:

1. Obtaining tents for shelter or building more permanent houses,
2. Revitalization of current health post operating in the area and reinforcing staff to meet the needs of the new arrivals.

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