Today, more than 400,000 refugees remain in limbo, about half in camps.

The refugees would remain in isolation behind decontamination fields.

Nearly 6,600 refugees remained in the city's 24 relief centers, he said.

Only a few thousand mostly old or sick refugees remain in the two countries, left behind in the struggle for survival.

But American officers hope that the refugees will go home rather than remain in camps.

No one knows for certain how many refugees remain in Zaire or precisely where they are.

He said it appeared that about 100,000 refugees remained on the road and in the countryside.

The closer refugees remain to their own countries, the easier it is to organise their return when conditions allow.

As of January 2010, 25, 580 refugees and asylum seekers remain in the country.

Over 25,000 people have been repatriated but there still remains another 10,000 refugees in various camps near the border.