UNHCR appeals for funding to sustain refugee returns in West and Central Africa

GENEVA - This year, more than 42,000 refugees have been able to return home voluntarily in the West and Central Africa region, bringing the total to more than 272,000 since 2021 and offering renewed hope for communities recovering from years of displacement.

The majority have returned to Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR). Approximately 10,000 more Central African refugees are expected to return from neighbouring countries before the end of the year

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, stresses that continued progress is tied closely to securing additional funding to ensure that returns remain voluntary, safe and sustainable.

Voluntary return remains one of the most tangible solutions to forced displacement. Yet finding the right conditions is difficult: returns should only occur when conditions such as security and access to land, documentation and basic services are in place. Successful refugee returns go well beyond crossing a border. Investment in sustainable reintegration is critical to allow refugees to rebuild their lives with stability and hope.

Recent return intention surveys conducted by UNHCR across the region reveal the strong aspirations of refugees to return home next year despite ongoing challenges. Around 80,000 Central African refugees in Cameroon and Chad intend to return as soon as basic services and reintegration opportunities are available. UNHCR and partners plan to support the return of 60,000 refugees to the CAR in 2026, under the 2024-2028 Solutions Plan, which envisages up to 300,000 returns, reflecting growing stability in the country and strengthened regional cooperation.

New peace and cooperation frameworks are helping to pave the way for sustainable refugee returns. In February 2025, UNHCR, with the Governments of Chad and Nigeria, signed a Tripartite Agreement to facilitate the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Nigerian refugees from Chad. Talks are advancing toward a similar agreement with Niger, further reinforcing coordinated regional action and protection safeguards.

The June 2025 Washington Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, with the July Doha Declaration of Principles between the DRC and M23, reaffirmed that all refugee returns must remain voluntary and in line with the 2010 Tripartite Agreements between UNHCR and the governments of the DRC and Rwanda. Building on these renewed commitments, UNHCR has facilitated 5,000 returns in 2025 and plans to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of 10,000 Rwandan refugees from the DRC in 2026.

Yet the momentum achieved is at serious risk due to funding shortfalls, which could halt planned repatriation and reintegration activities and leave thousands of refugees stranded and dependent on humanitarian aid.

UNHCR appeals for urgent, flexible and multi-year funding to sustain voluntary returns and reintegration, enabling thousands more families to return home in dignity, reintegrate sustainably and contribute to the recovery and stability of their communities.

While some returns have been safe, voluntary and dignified, many have taken place under difficult and insecure conditions, reflecting the ongoing fragility of the region's security situation.

UNHCR calls for strengthened peace initiatives and regional coordination. We will continue to work closely with governments through tripartite agreements and coordinated return frameworks to ensure that all returns are voluntary, safe and durable. We thank our partners whose continued support makes returns possible.

For more information, please contact:

• In Dakar (regional), Senan Rose Fidelia Bohissou, [email protected], +221 77 569 91 60
• In Geneva, Eujin Byun, [email protected], +41 79 747 8719

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