Refugee integration on course

Government says the on-going integration of over four thousand former Angolan refugees in North-western Province is progressing well.

North-western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga said the integration exercise of former Angolan refugees has reached an advanced stage.

Mr Malupenga said this in Maheba yesterday when he inspected works on the resettlement area where 4,060 former Angolan refugees and some vulnerable Zambians will be issued with more than 2,000 plots.

The permanent secretary expressed happiness that over four kilometres of the 21.5 kilometre road stretch from Maheba refugee camp to the resettlement area has already been worked on by the contractor.

Mr Malupenga has since commended UNHCR and stakeholders in the integration exercise for their commitment and dedication to the programme.

Meanwhile UNHCR officer In Charge for Solwezi Alisher Gezibegov assured the permanent secretary that his organization will continue to lobby for increased financial support from both local and international partners to ensure that the former refugees are settled in a developed area.

And Angolan Vice Consul General for Solwezi Pedro Chituco thanked the government of Zambia for the gesture to integrate the former Angolan refugees.

 

Mr Chituco said that his country will remain indebted to the people of Zambia for their goodwill and humanitarian efforts.