Family of ten camps at UNHCR offices

By Esther Namirimu

A family of ten has been camping outside UNHCR offices for four days seeking relocation to another country.

“All I want is for the UNHCR to cancel the letter of rejection they gave me, that way I can get another chance to live a better life,” said Farhiya Mahamed Ahmed, a 42 year old mother.

Ahmed says that her and her children have spent four nights in the cold and "the office responsible for us has not offered us even a glass of water, we are just living on the mercy of passers-by."

“No one in the office seems to care or even talk to us, it was only today morning that a man came and told us that he was going to get a car to take us back to the settlement,” she adds.

Farhiya Mahamed Ahmed claims that in 2009, she went to UNHCR offices for help but instead of being assisted, the officers took her back to the camp by force.

“Can you imagine they pointed a gun at me? My daughter Bosteyo was playing next to the UNHCR gate and security personnel pushed her and she fell badly and injured her head permanently.”

She adds that the girl was taken to Mulago hospital where she underwent an operation.

“I did not report this case to police or even to Human Rights Network but I have the medical forms to prove what I am saying,” says Farhiya.

Farhiya claims that in 2009, an American went to the Refugee Settlement and took most refugees to America but I missed that chance because UNHCR had rejected my case.