Government should provide for refugees

Nov 30, 2011

The Ugandan government should be responsible for the refugees as provided for by the laws of the National Disability Act and the United Nations convention on the rights of Persons with disabilities.

By Brenda Asiimwe

The Ugandan government should be responsible for the refugees as provided for by the laws of the National Disability Act and the United Nations convention on the rights of Persons with disabilities.
 
These laws mention that if a person moves into another country and is given asylum, the country then becomes responsible for that person’s well being.
 
This was said by the Northern region MP for disability William Nockrach in a speech read by Busurwa Abdul a consultant in PWDS at the dialogue in commemoration of the international day of PWDS.
 
The dialogue which was organized by Refugee Law Project on Tuesday in Kampala was attended by organisations supporting PWDS such as NUDIPU, UNAB, UPACLED, LAPD and refugees with disabilities living in Kampala.
 
Nockrach added that it’s required of the government of Uganda to secure shelter and provide for the refugees socially, economically and psychologically.
 
“The different organisations in charge of PWDs should join hands in fighting for rights of the disabled, especially refugees with disabilities since they are most vulnerable.” He said.
 
 Refugee Law Project showcased a video that portrayed life in refugee camps as hard but even harder for persons with disabilities because of their helplessness.
 
Aida from Nakivale refugee camp one of the many cases shown has two disabled children and they are living in a semi permanent house that is almost collapsing.
 
 She doesn’t have money to construct another house or take the children for proper health care.
Aida also noted that the food rations that they were being given have also reduced and they barely have what to eat.
 
Goremikae Genet a blind refugee from Eritrea said that she is constantly moving from one friend’s house to another because of lack of a permanent shelter.
 
“I have developed asthma because of the poor conditions of living and being exposed to harsh conditions of living.” She said.
 
Chris Dolan the Refugee Law Project director in his speech read by Benson Onen noted that refugees are more likely than the general population to experience disabilities arising from physical injury.
 
He also added that in most cases refugee persons living with disabilities are left behind curtains especially when it comes to government programs like NAADS leaving many to struggle with problems ranging from economic, social, and psychosocial.
 
Dolan appealed to all Ugandans to start institutional changes to promote the wellbeing of Persons with disabilities, beginning at structural levels to ensure a PWD friendly environment.
 
Fred Lukabwe the chairperson of Uganda Association for the Blind urged the refugees with disabilities to form groups in their respective camps so that they can voice their issues.
 
He added that they can also use these groups to save some income which they can use to start up self help projects. 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});