CHIPINGE - The minister of Labour and Social Services, Paurina Mupariwa, last week warned Burundian refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp to desist from fuelling ethnic tensions in the camp, saying government would not tolerate such a rowdy behaviour. Speaking at the commemorations of the belated World Refugee Day, Mupariwa took a swipe at Burundians nationals for fissures in the refugee community.
I would like to express my disappointment on the continued tribal tension within Burundian community despite my warnings last year where I urged them to desist from this unwarranted, undesirable and unruly behaviour.
It was reported that divisions in the camp sparked violence last year and the government and UNHCR were forced to intervene.
Meanwhile, Mpariwa applauded United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHRC) and Christian Care for running a camp clinic, water and sanitation and managing food distribution.
She said the two humanitarian organisations were working towards resuscitating the irrigation scheme in the camp to improve food security at household level and promote self-reliance.
Speaking on the same occasion UNHCR Representative, Marcellin Hepie said their organisation was thankful to the Government of Zimbabwe for hosting some 5 000 refugees on its soil.
UNHCR appreciates the agreement to open education facilities also for refugees. However, this requires more funding through partnerships with other agencies like Unicef and other stakeholders in order to meet refugees dreams for a better future.
Hepie added: Asylum countries including Zimbabwe need to make room to refugees in urban setting as more than half of the world refugee population now reside in cities.
Tongogara Refugee Camp is a sanctuary to more than 4,000 refugees. The refugees hail mostly from the Great Lakes region in countries, which include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, Somalia, Eritriea, Uganda and Congo Brazzaville.
Post published in: Politics