The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has called for additional funding to support Zambia's refugee response.

Grandi made the call after he made a two-day working visit to the southern African nation.

"We will continue to invest in the emergency short term response, but this needs to be accompanied by longer term international support that will allow refugees and the local communities to benefit from economic opportunities, and boost local infrastructure and services." said Grandi.

During his stay in the country, the UNHCR chief met government leaders, partner agencies, donors, refugees and their hosting communities.

Notably, he had an opportunity to meet with President Edgar Lungu and reaffirmed the UNHCR's commitment to advocate for additional resources to support the country's refugee response.

Grandi noted that in embracing the comprehensive refugee response model put forward by the Global Compact on Refugees, Zambia has demonstrated true solidarity with people forced to flee conflict, war and persecution. He specifically thanked the President and the Zambian people for the strides made towards the local integration of former Angolan and Rwandan refugees.

"The people of Zambia are very peaceful and generous."

Grandi also attended the Fifth Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Civil Registration, where he routed for the documentation and registration of refugees and asylum seekers and the fight to end statelessness.

Source: UNHCR