About Us

The Office of the Commissioner for Refugees is a designated department in the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for recognition, protection and control of refugees; provide for the rights and responsibilities of refugees, management, regulation and coordination of the welfare and security of asylum seekers and refugees in Zambia.

The Commissioner is responsible for the recognition of refugees and ensuring the provision of adequate facilities and services for the reception into and care for refugees within Zambia

Vision

A SMART and value-centred Commission for Refugees.

Mission

To provide protection and assistance to asylum seekers and refugees in order to create a safe, secure and peaceful environment for a quality internal security services for sustainable socio-economic development for all.

Goal

Provide protection and assistance to all asylum seekers and refugees in conformity with the relevant international conventions in order to contribute to their general welfare and to the maintenance of internal security.

Objectives

1. effectively and efficiently coordinate refugees hosting activities in the country in order to ensure that the welfare of refugees is taken care of and they are adequately protected;
2. ensure that only genuine asylum seekers are granted refugee status on arrival;
3. ensure that refugees are assisted to be self-reliant and are able to integrate into local communities;
4. effectively and efficiently promote public awareness on the plight of refugees;
5. effectively manage and efficiently utilize logistical support services and materials for the efficient operation of the Department; and
6. maintaining an effective and efficient information management system for refugees and asylum seekers for easy retrieval of information and provision of quality services.

Core function

In accordance with the Refugees Act, as well various Acts and Statutes, the functions of the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees include among others:  assessing asylum claims, management of refugee settlements, relocation of refugees to refugee settlements, grant of permission to leave refugee settlements, registration of asylum seekers and refugees and issuance of refugee identity cards.

The Commissioner for Refugees performs his function through the following units and section both at head office, the refugee settlements and transit centres throughout the country:

1. Legal Unit
2. Programmes and Administration
3. Registration and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Unit
4. Local Integration

The following are the core functions of the Commissioner for Refugees:

1. co-ordinate activities and programmes for refugees and the provision of security, protection and assistance for refugees in refugee settlements;
2. co-ordinate measures necessary for promoting the welfare of refugees and advise the Minister on all matters relating to refugees;
3. manage refugee reception areas, refugee settlements and other facilities for refugees
4. receive and process applications for the recognition of refugees
5. issue refugee identification documents and process and recommend applications for the issuance of refugee travel documents
6. issue movement passes to refugees for travel outside the refugee settlements within Zambia;
7. issue visitors permits for entry into refugee settlements;
8. register and maintain a register of asylum seekers and refugees;
9. ensure that refugee economic and productive activities do not have an adverse effect on host communities or the environment;
10. ensure the sustainable use and sustainable management of the environment in refugee hosting areas;
11. protect and assist vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees, especially women and children;
12. ensure treatment of asylum seekers and refugees in compliance with the law;
13. facilitate the safe return of Zambians living as refugees in other countries;
14. administer and manage the Fund;
15. cooperate with organizations and institutions with similar functions within and outside Zambia; and
16. Exercise such other functions as are incidental to the functions of the Commissioner or as may be assigned to the Commissioner by or under this Act.