The U.N. spokesperson, Farhan, said that the U.N. refugee agency is reporting that more than 42,000 refugees have returned voluntarily in the West and Central Africa region this year, bringing the total since 2021 to more than 272,000.

Farhan said the majority of returns have been to Nigeria and the Central African Republic and that approximately 10,000 more Central African refugees are expected to return from neighbouring countries before the end of the year.

UNHCR, the spokesperson added, stresses that continued progress depends on additional funding to ensure returns remain voluntary, safe and sustainable, and it appealed for urgent, flexible and multiyear funding to sustain voluntary returns and reintegration.