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Returning Refugees

A ‘returnee’ is a refugee who has returned to their country of origin, or an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) who has returned to their area of origin, to remain there permanently. They have lost their refugee or displaced status, but have not yet fully reintegrated into their community. In the first half of 2024, 433,600 refugees and 1.8 million IDPs were able to return home. This short blog post will give a brief overview of making the decision, support, and pressure from host countries.


Those considering return should have an understanding of the potential outcomes and, based on this information, feel they are able to do it in a safe and dignified way of their own choosing. This is important in preventing the need to flee again at a later date. For some people, this may be possible just a few months after fleeing, but for others it could be decades later or even never.


Voluntary repatriation is actually the most favoured durable solution of displaced people, the others being resettlement in another country and integration within the host community. Therefore, many charities and non-profit organisations that support returnees provide them with assistance before, during and after their journeys home. Examples of this include relaying information, coordinating transport, and rebuilding infrastructure.


The 1951 Refugee Convention says that host countries must not send refugees elsewhere, including back to their country of origin, if this may pose a serious threat to their life or freedom. Although this should mean that all returns are voluntary, some host countries unfortunately use techniques to pressure refugees to leave. For instance, they may be deprived of essential services or experience hostility due to disinformation campaigns.


 
 
 

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