Govnt and UNHCR in Zambia to start verification and registration of self-settled former Angolan refugees

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in concert with the
Angolan Embassy and the Angolan Consulates in Mongu and Solwezi, will conduct a verification and registration exercise of self-settled former Angolan refugees who are still living in urban and rural areas of Zambia.

The verification and registration exercise will commence on Monday 4 August and end on 15 October 2014, with the schedule starting with Kitwe, Lufwanyama, Mufulira and Chingola. From the Copperbelt, the registration team will from 15 August go to North Western Province, covering Solwezi, Mwinilunga, Kasempa, Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma.

Other provinces to be covered under this exercise will be Western – Lukulu, Mongu, Kalabo, Senanga, Shang’ombo, Sioma and Sesheke, Southern – Kalomo and Choma, and Central provinces (Itezhi Tezhi and
Mumbwa).

The objective of the verification and registration exercise is to allow Angolan former refugees to access different immigration permits –essential for those wishing to remain in Zambia- or to receive support to return to Angola, for those wishing to do so.  At the same time, this exercise will provide the Government of the Republic of
Zambia, the Government of the Republic of Angola and UNHCR with updated information on former Angolan refugees living in urban and rural areas of Zambia.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and UNHCR have urged all the self-settled former Angolan refugees in the targeted provinces to take advantage of the verification and registration exercise and come forward to register.