(ZNBC) Nine thousand six hundred refugees have been repatriated from Zambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo on a voluntary repatriation exercise.
The exercise which commenced December last year has also seen the repatriation of eight Burundians.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees -UNHCR Assistant Secretary General Gillian Triggs has confirmed this at a press briefing in Lusaka.
Ms. Triggs also said two Angolan refugees have volunteered to be repatriated.
She has praised Zambia for her hospitality towards the refugees.
Meanwhile, Ms. Triggs has confirmed social media reports that UNHCR has a budget deficit of 700 million dollars.
She said the deficit if not mitigated will impact negatively on UNHCR’s operations globally.