UNHCR: Nearly 9,600 Refugees Return to DR Congo in First Half of 2026

Nearly 9,600 Congolese refugees voluntarily returned home during the first six months of 2026, while close to 3,000 people left the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to return to neighboring countries, according to the latest figures released by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation Update, covering the period up to 30 June 2026, shows that 9,567 refugees from 2,455 families returned to the DRC between January and June. During the same period, 2,992 individuals from 863 families voluntarily repatriated from the DRC to neighboring countries.

The report identifies Uganda as the largest country of departure for returnees to the DRC, with 8,234 people returning home. Other significant movements were recorded from Tanzania (865) and Zambia (332), while smaller numbers returned from Burundi, the Central African Republic, Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Women and children accounted for the majority of those returning to the DRC. The returnees included 2,204 women, 1,726 men, 2,772 girls and 2,865 boys, reflecting the continued importance of protection and reintegration support for vulnerable families.

Meanwhile, refugees leaving the DRC primarily returned to Rwanda, which received 2,528 people, followed by Burundi with 460 returnees. Only isolated returns were recorded to Angola, the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic, while no voluntary repatriations to South Sudan were reported during the reporting period.

fUNHCR said the voluntary repatriation program remains a key component of its durable solutions strategy, enabling refugees to return home safely and voluntarily when conditions allow. The agency continues to work with governments and humanitarian partners across the Great Lakes region to facilitate safe, dignified and sustainable returns.