UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi issued an urgent call for increased international support following a week-long visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, where he witnessed both encouraging signs of progress and the immense challenges facing displaced populations in the volatile region.
Speaking after his visit, Grandi emphasised that sustainable peace requires concrete international action beyond diplomatic agreements. “Safe and dignified voluntary return remains the most durable solution for many refugees in DRC and Rwanda,” he said.
“UNHCR appreciates recent peace efforts, notably the Washington agreement and the Doha peace process, which have recognised the importance of addressing refugee issues. Their true value will be measured by concrete actions that deliver lasting security, stability, and investment in communities – so that return is not only possible, but sustainable.”
The visit came as 533 Rwandan refugees, predominantly women and children, voluntarily returned home from eastern DRC to Rwanda on August 25 – a development Grandi described as “an important confidence-building step in the broader peace processes.” The repatriation, achieved within a month of commitments made at the DRC-Rwanda-UNHCR Tripartite meeting in Addis Ababa, represents tangible progress amid ongoing regional tensions.
In Kinshasa, Grandi met with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to discuss UNHCR’s support for safe refugee and internally displaced person returns. The UN official welcomed the president’s commitment while stressing the need to maintain momentum on voluntary repatriations as part of broader peace initiatives.
The humanitarian crisis facing the region became starkly apparent during Grandi’s visit to Sake, located 60 kilometres from Goma, where he encountered people forced to flee violence repeatedly. “For decades, the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo have endured conflict and repeated displacement,” Grandi said after meeting with displaced families and humanitarian partners. “We hope the recent peace efforts will create an environment where unhindered humanitarian access is guaranteed, helping to reduce suffering and meet urgent needs. We also call on the international community to demonstrate stronger solidarity. Ending the cycle of violence and enabling communities to rebuild their lives is only possible through collective action.”
During his Rwanda leg, Grandi praised the country’s approach to refugee integration in meetings with President Paul Kagame. “Rwanda’s long-standing commitment to refugee protection and inclusion sets a powerful example,” he stated. “Its approach shows what is possible when displaced people are given the chance to learn, work, and thrive – and it merits strong international support.”
The UN official used his visit to advance discussions on durable peace solutions and reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to supporting regional peace efforts, including voluntary repatriation programs under the established tripartite framework.
Grandi’s call for international solidarity comes as the Great Lakes region continues to grapple with decades of conflict that has displaced millions of people across borders, with many facing repeated displacement as violence persists.
