“Maurice Moussouravi in discussions with refugees at Abala camp”.

Please use this link to view a video on the same topic of return:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxWyI9Uo2Lg&feature=youtu.be

Everyone has the right to return to his or her own country.  This sounds simple and straight forward but it isn’t. Take the case of Mali: A sizable minority among the more than 160,000 Malian refugees in the various asylum countries has expressed its will to return. These refugees have a different perception than UNHCR and many outside observers regarding the safety and risks of return.  

 But given that refugees should be recognized and respected as independent decision-makers, and that refugees may base their decision on different sources of information specific to their individual situation, UNHCR has decided to support their return to northern Mali.

 In Niger, many refugees live solely from the monthly assistance they are receiving from UNHCR, WFP, and other charities. In Abala camp, 58% of the refugee families declared recently to have no income at all. In Abala and elsewhere, refugees are indebted to local traders and a significant portion of the assistance they are receiving is spent on serving debts. In this situation refugees have simply no means to return, even if they wish to do so, unless they increase their debts and/or start selling off their few household belongings: pots, and mosquito nets, tents and blankets.

Four weeks ago, more than 4,000 out of a total of 14,000 refugees in Abala camp declared their wish to return. When UNHCR started its information campaign and registered the candidates the number dropped to less than 2200 (or 462 households). Maurice Moussouravi, Senior Repatriation Officer, spent an entire week in the camp discussing with refugees. He stressed that UNHCR would respect the decision of each and every refugee but shared with them also UNHCR’s concerns: frequent reports of terrorist attacks and  pointing to the fact that humanitarian agencies have difficulties in reaching the returnee areas effectively.

 Eventually, eighty percent of the refugees remained unimpressed and solicited UNHCR’s assistance: a travel document and 35,000 Francs CFA (equivalent to 70 US Dollars) so they could return. Twenty percent changed their mind and decided to stay for the time being in Abala camp.

Those who organized their return travel with the money provided by UNHCR called Maurice by phone from Ménaka and Anderaboukane (the main areas of return) to tell him about their safe arrival. They told him that they are happy and that the situation is peaceful at home. They promised to stay in touch. They know, that UNHCR and the government of Niger would re-admit them should they be forced to flee again.

As the facilitated return programme for 2013 draws to its close, statistics show that 2,761 Malian refugees have left the camps of Mangaizé, Abala and Tabareybarey with UNHCR’s assistance. Almost 50,000 others remain in Niger. With the security situation in Northern Mali remaining volatile, the dilemma of staying or returning will remain on everybody’s agenda in 2014 as well. But whatever refugees decide, they can continue to count on UNHCR’s support.