Assessment of the refugee situation in southern, central and eastern Africa

The team conducted its field survey from August 8 to September 24, 1977. Visits were made to Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Zaire, Kenya, Sudan and Djibouti. In each refugee country the team met with local officials, UN representatives, international, American, and local volunteer agencies, diplomatic officers, and U.S. embassy/A.I.D. officials. Wherever possible, they inspected refugee camps and concentrations. This document is intended to build on previous surveys and to support their recommended programs where pertinent. Great diversity is found in the composition of refugee groups coming out of the trouble spots of Africa. Equal diversity is found among host countries with reference to the way in which they treat refugees. To generalize, it could be said that most refugees are receiving basic minimum life-support type of care. Fair numbers are receiving excellent support, particularly when compared to the bare subsistence level of existence experienced by large sectors of the populace in many African countries. The first priority for refugee requirements obviously must go to the continuance and augmentation of life support programs. A.I.D. can also be helpful to refugees by providing management, operational and administrative support to host governments, refugee agencies and organizations. A detailed report is included on each country visited.