Chad has been very generous in accepting the refugees and working with us ... We certainly hope that good cooperation will continue.

In total, about half a million Angolans are estimated to have repatriated, with or without UNHCR assistance, since the April 2002 cease-fire that brought to an end Angola's 27-year civil war.

They were provided with protection and assistance by the former regime and enjoyed a relatively high standard of treatment that some segments of the Iraqi population considered unfair.

That leaves us with a shortfall of $1.45 million, ... There are no signs that the refugees are intending to return home in the immediate future and it is crucial that donors respond to our request for funds to assist this population.

That leaves us with a shortfall of $1.45 million. There are no signs that the refugees are intending to return home in the immediate future and it is crucial that donors respond to our request for funds to assist this population.

It's for her own security and the security of the refugees. That's the only way she can have direct contact with people and hear their stories.

They are feeling increasingly trapped, and for security reasons, many have stopped going to work and have taken their children out of school.

They said the killings, disappearances, and hostage-taking affecting their families, neighbors and friends had become intolerable.

This is not the opening of the floodgates, but it is a start. It is quite a significant move since some of these people have been out of their country for 20 years.

This is even more worrying in the absence of any clear indications as to what might be the nature of the envisaged offshore processing arrangement. If it is not one that meets the same high standards Australia sets for its own processes, this could be tantamount to penalizing for illegal entry.