Some 6,000 Togolese were refugees at the end of 1997, including about 5,000 in Ghana and 1,000 in Benin. More than 10,000 Togolese refugees repatriated during the year. Togo hosted approximately 12,000 refugees from Ghana. Refugees from Togo Togo produced large numbers of refugees for the first time in its history in 1993. An estimated 200,000 or more Togolese fled to neighboring countries to escape a violent crackdown by President GnassingbÉ EyadÉma and Togo's military against democratic reforms. Most refugees were from Togo's capital, Lome. About half of the refugees repatriated during 1993-94, but some were forced to flee again after encountering further persecution in Togo. Togolese leaders announced a general amnesty for refugees in late 1994. An estimated 90,000 Togolese repatriated during 1995-96, many with UNHCR assistance. Perhaps 20,000 Togolese refugees remained outside the country at the beginning of 1997. More than 6,000 Togolese refugees repatriated under UNHCR auspices during 1997, including about 5,000 from Ghana and about 1,000 from Benin. An estimated 5,000 Togolese repatriated spontaneously. UNHCR's repatriation program in Togo focused on funding community-based health, sanitation, and education programs in Lome, the agency reported. UNHCR noted that it received no reports that returnees had faced protection problems during 1997. The official quadripartite repatriation program involving Togo, Ghana, Benin, and UNHCR officially ended on June 30. The 6,000 Togolese refugees remaining outside Togo at year's end appeared unlikely to repatriate in the near future. Refugees from Ghana Inter-ethnic conflict in northern Ghana during 1994 forced some 15,000 Ghanaians into Togo. An estimated 10,000 remained in Togo at the end of 1997, as did about 2,000 Ghanaians who arrived in the early 1980s. Togo's reception of the refugees has been generally hospitable. More than 90 percent of refugee families had farm land, UNHCR reported, and many refugees lived with Togolese relatives. Ghanaian refugees in Togo did not receive food assistance during the year. "Ghanaian refugees in northern Togo have opted to locally integrate," UNHCR reported. UNHCR's efforts during 1997 were "geared towards activities supporting the integration process," the agency said.
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