UNHCR Handbook for Emergencies - UNHCR eCentre

Annex 2 – Types of Transport
General Considerations
Below are some advantages and disadvantages of the common means of transport. Whichever form
of transport is used, the plan should also take into consideration:
1. Food, accommodation and minimum emergency health care during the journey. Where
distances are short, it is recommended that only material assistance needed for the duration of the
journey, plus, if essential, for the first few days after arrival, be distributed prior to departure. This
will help reduce any incentive to "repatriate" several times;
2. Capacity to move all reasonable private possessions of the refugees, if at all possible at the same
time as their owners. Remember that what refugees carry with them on return will be used to
ensure more successful reinstallation and move more quickly towards self-sufficiency (i.e., roofing
material, livestock, etc.);
3. Appropriate security and the maintenance of public order during all stages of the journey;
4. Arrangements for the safe transfer of the required documentation, passenger lists, registration
forms, etc., and for keeping statistical records of the progress of the operation;
5. Escort or monitoring of the actual repatriation by or on behalf of UNHCR. At least for the first
movements, a UNHCR staff member should accompany the returnees. Ensure voluntariness even
during the movement stage.
Voluntary Repatriation
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