A Zimbabwe: Traditional dance by DRC refugee girls in Tongogara refugee camp: ©UNHCR/G. Nhamo F Angola Liberia Benin Malawi Burkina Faso Mozambique Burundi Niger Cameroon Nigeria Central African Republic Rwanda R Chad Sierra Leone Côte d’Ivoire South Africa Djibouti Sudan Eritrea Swaziland Ethiopia Tanzania, United Republic of Gabon Togo I Ghana Uganda Guinea Zambia Kenya Zimbabwe C A Sierra Leone: UNHCR volleyball team: ©UNHCR/R. Goldstein-Rodriguez - - ANGOLA The official WRD ceremony was carried out in Caxito Municipality in the Bengo Province which was presided over by the Governor of the Province. Government officials, diplomats, NGO staff, mem- bers of civil society, UN officials and journalists were all present. There were several painting and crafts exhibitions displayed and during the cere- mony, the High Commissioner’s message for WRD was read out. Moreover, A group of female refu- gees called “La Patience” presented a fashion show, a group of young refugees performed a col- ourful dance number and a youth theatre group staged a play under the theme of “Courage”. A AFRICA Local dancing : ©UNHCR/Angola cocktail party closed the ceremony. Other provincial activities included an award ceremony for the best performing returnee students, a radio debate in Malange province under the theme of “Courage and Repatriation” and a football match between a group of returnees and a team of police officers in Uige province. Coverage of these activities was well publicised in the national press. A two-hour television debate on national TV program “Janela Aberta” (Open Window) sensitized the public on refugee/returnee issues, with particular focus on the ongoing voluntary repatriation opera- tion of the Angolan refugees. Radio Ecclesia dedicated a one-hour program on the issue of refugees and some of the radio inter- views were repeated throughout the week. BENIN From 17 to 20 June several celebrations took place to commemorate WRD. There were cul- tural and sport activities in Comé, Lokossa, Agamé and Kpomassé. Amnesty International- Benin along with UNHCR co-organized an eve- ning event of solidarity with a conference on “The International Protection of Refugees” in Cotonou. Small fairs, drawing contests, a race and a tree-planting activity were also in the pro- gramme. Sponsors provided UNHCR with sports equip- ments as well as prizes for the winners of differ- ent competitions and contests. Market fair in Cotonou: ©UNHCR/Sté Azanik Photo-Video It is worth mentioning the courage displayed by the newly arrived Togolese refugees, who joined the celebrations showing great creativity despite their conditions and the scarce resources available. The High Commissioner’s message was broadcast on national TV on 20 June and published in at least three newspapers. Other members of the media covered WRD activities with some 14 press articles and as many TV reports. “Courage” posters and WRD banners were placed at the reception centers. UNHCR published a compilation of testimonies of refugees. The Regional Office in Benin also covers Burkina Faso, Niger and Togo. BURKINA FASO The Cabinet Director of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation Ministry presided over the official ceremony held on WRD. Among the guests were authorities from the Ministry, implement- ing partners (CREDO-CONASREF), refugees and the general public. - 29 - The opening WRD activity was a debate with refugee testimonies. On the same day, a football match was organized between one refugee team and another team which combined Ministry of For- eign Affairs and implementing partners’ staff. Besides those activities, refugee-made food and commodities were exhibited at a fair. Goods that were for sale included sewing products, woodworks, paintings as well as food. Exhibitors and the public engaged in positive personal and commercial relationships. Some 1,500 people took part in all the various activities and in total, 13 pieces of news were ac- counted for between 17 and 24 June. The audience reached with the media coverage is estimated to be 30,000 people. Burkina Faso is covered by the Regional Office in Benin. BURUNDI The Minister of Interior was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony which consisted of a pic- ture and drawing exhibition at the French Cultural Center in Bujumbura. The cere- mony was attended by most heads of NGOs, Ambassadors and Governmental AFRICA authorities. The pictures, by Corbis photog- rapher Jehad Nga, were taken during a re- patriation operation from Tanzania and in a Congolese refugee camp. The drawings by Congolese children living in the refugee camps portrayed what it means to be a refu- gee (with disturbing references to violence). The two-week exhibition received many visi- tors and was reported on by several radio Rentrer chez soi: ©UNHCR/Jehad Nga/Corbis Sygma stations. “Courage” radio and TV spots were broadcast three times a day for three days by three radio sta- tions and the National TV. UNHCR representative in Burundi gave several interviews to the media. Sports and cultural celebrations marked WRD at the two Burundian refugee camps. These activi- ties were covered by radio Isanganiro. Lastly, a university teacher gave a conference at the French Cultural Center on refugee issues in Burundi. CAMEROON The Town Hall square in Douala was the chosen stage for the official ceremony to mark WRD this year. Douala is the main entry city to Cameroon, and hosts a strong community of refugees and asy- lum seekers. The ceremony was presided over by the Delegate Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to a gathering of over 1000 refugees, locals and representatives of the administrative authori- ties and the Secretary General and High Commissioner’s messages on WRD were read out at the ceremony. A fair with arts and crafts made by refugees, and a festival with dances and games fol- lowed. 17 entities from the National and international media were present at the ceremony. On 19 June, a football match between a refugee team and one of the local TV Antenne 2 took place at the Collège de Liebermann in Douala. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Several initiatives focusing on urban refugees from diverse nationalities were organized in Ban- gui for 10 days. The capital hosted a football match between a team of refugees and UN agency staff. It also held a celebration with tradi- tional dances, exhibit and sale of refugee made products (arts, sewing, and cakes) and AIDS related recitations. This ceremony was at- tended by government, diplomatic missions and international organisations’ representatives and the general public. Traditional dancing at WRD Celebrations: ©UNHCR/Central African Republic - 30 - A WRD public awareness campaign was carried out with the broadcast of the UNHCR film “Young African Refugees: Building the Future” on National Television, as well as a couple of debates with the participation of refugees, UNHCR and CNR representatives on UN radio Ndeke Luka. The press conference gathered journalists from national and private medias. Banners with refugee slogans in French and the national language were put up in Bangui. CHAD Open-door activities were held at the hall of the French Cultural Center for a week, gathering 200 people each day. The events included a drama play and a debate organized by UNHCR, UN agen- cies, NGOs, journalists and refugees. These activities received radio and TV attention resulting in several reports. It was noted that many visitors were impressed by a model replica of a refugee camp which was present at the French Cultural Center. Some 2,000 WRD leaflets in Arabic and French were distributed with the primary goal of raising pub- lic awareness on the problems refugees face in Chad and to enhance better understanding of the work of UNHCR. The High Commissioner’s WRD message was broadcast on national TV and radio AFRICA for 3 days from 19 to 21 June). CÔTE D’IVOIRE UNHCR representatives where at the official cere- mony held in Abidjan for WRD. The presence of the State Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs reaf- firmed the commitment of the government towards an increased security of refugees. Paintings as well as hand crafts made by refugees were exhib- ited for sale in Abid- jan and Tabou on 20 June. 1,000 people turned up in total to visit the fairs. Dancing by young refugees: ©UNHCR/N. Sabarthes Tabou and Guiglo hosted sport activities and festivals with artis- tic performances from refugee and local groups. The participation of artist Ismaël Isaac deserves a special mention as his perform- ance was greatly appreciated by the public. Some 2,000 people attended the festivals. The UN radio broadcast the “Courage” spots for a fortnight, up to 20 June. This radio has an estimated audience of 2 million. In addition, National TV channel broadcast “Global View” on WRD, Paintings and hand crafts exhibited for with an estimated audience of 5 million. Ten media reported the sale in Abidjan and Tabou: ©UNHCR/Côte d’Ivoire events. DJIBOUTI Everybody contributed towards the WRD celebrations at Holl Holl and Ali Adde camps. Firstly, UNHCR and its partner for Social Service, APEF, helped the refugee youth in setting up the activities. Furthermore, female refugees decorated the reception site with flowers, mili- tary forces provided logistics and workforces, football matches were pre-arranged between young refugees in both camps, a semi-marathon for the female and male youth took place and others organized songs and sketches that dealt with repatriation, AIDS and the WRD theme “Courage”. The UNHCR representative and the representative of the National Office for the As- sistance of Refugees and Disaster Victims (ONARS) HCR staff giving certificate & prize to refugee most active & addressed the audience. helpful in the community: ©UNHCR/J.A. Hepps - 31 - It was a peaceful and joyful occasion and as such it has been commended by the refugee commu- nity, the local population, representatives of the UN agencies (PNUD, UNESCO, PAM), national or- ganizations (ONARS, APEF) and NGOs (AMDA).