News

Homeward bound for burundian persons of concern through voluntary repatriation

Since March 2024, DRC Kenya Programme, in collaboration with UNHCR Kenya, has facilitated the voluntary repatriation of over 1,000 persons of concern of Burundian origin from Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement back to Burundi.

Last week, DRC and UNHCR kenya celebrated the successful repatriation of 117 Burundians from Kakuma to their homeland, marking another significant step in the ongoing efforts to support safe and dignified returns for persons of concern who have been displaced for years.

Voluntary repatriation, a key component of durable solutions, offers persons of concern the opportunity to return home for several important reasons. Many seek to reunite with family and friends, reconnecting with loved ones and rebuilding social ties that foster a sense of belonging and emotional stability. For others, repatriation represents a chance for empowerment and self-reliance, allowing them to break free from dependence on external aid and engage in economic activities that contribute to personal growth and the rebuilding of their country.

The return home also brings healing from the trauma of displacement, marking the end of their persons of concern status and restoring their dignity as they reestablish a sense of stability in familiar surroundings. Access to education is another motivating factor, as many persons of concern see returning home as an opportunity for themselves and their families to pursue learning opportunities that may have been limited or inaccessible during their time in exile.

Ultimately, repatriation enables persons of concern to rebuild their lives in a familiar environment, where they can reclaim their cultural identity, reconnect with their heritage, and contribute to the development of their home country.

As part of UNHCR’s social cohesion initiative, the DRC and UNHCR Kenya remain committed to ensuring returnees are well-supported throughout the reintegration process, providing them with the tools and resources needed to successfully rebuild their lives.

We wish all returnees a safe and fulfilling reintegration journey, and we hope they continue to apply the conflict management and sensitivity skills learned during their time in the camps, thanks to the support of the DRC's Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) sector.