Mbabazi inspects DRC refugee camp in Ishasha
Nov 30, 2008
THE Minister for Security, Amama Mbabazi, has expressed concern about the appaling living conditions of Congolese refugees currently camped at Ishasha transit centre.
By Raymond Baguma,
Caleb Bahikaho
and Francisco Ahabyona
THE Minister for Security, Amama Mbabazi, has expressed concern about the appaling living conditions of Congolese refugees currently camped at Ishasha transit centre.
Mbabazi, who on Saturday inspected Ishasha border point in Kanungu to assess the situation of the refugees pouring across the border, also warned of a looming disease outbreak if the conditions are not improved.
Addressing the refugees, Mbabazi, whose Kinkizi West constituency also includes Ishasha, assured the refugees of protection and pledged Uganda Government’s support in resolving the conflict in the DRC.
Mbabazi said Uganda’s government was positive about the peace initiative brokered by Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo between the rebels of Gen. Laurent Nkunda and Congo’s government, led by President Joseph Kabila.
The UN agency’s (UNHCR) emergency team leader in Ishasha, Yuniko Takashima, said the poor facilities could not accommodate the heavy influx of refugees.
Meanwhile, the UNHCR has in the month of November registered 61 unaccompanied minors fleeing the Congo violence.
Of these, 57 of who have been settled with foster families while another 160 children had been relocated to Nakivale refugee settlement. There were also many children are among the civilian population currently seeking refuge at Ishasha transit centre.
The UNHCR recently announced plans to relocate the refugees from Ishasha to Matanda transit centre. The relocation is necessary as the refugee exodus has overwhelmed Ishasha’s water, sanitation and shelter facilities.
A number of humanitarian agencies — such as the Red Cross, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, MSF France and Save the Children Uganda — are providing food aid and relief items such as drugs, safe water facilities, blankets, soap, cups and health kits to the refugees at Ishasha.
Roberta Russo, external relations officer for UNHCR, said there has been a surge in the number of Congolese refugees entering Uganda, following fighting there.
In Kisoro, at Nyakabande transit centre, around 300 refugees previously hosted by Ugandan families in Nteko (close to Busanza border) had been relocated to Nakivale.
On Thursday, 10,000 new arrivals were received at Ishasha, bringing the total number of fleeing Congolese since the beginning of August, to about 27,000.
The UNHCR had on Thursday relocated around 1,000 refugees from Ishasha to Nakivale settlement in Isingiro district. Another 900 people were transferred on Friday. The transfer brings the total number of the new Congolese received at Nakivale refugee settlement to date to 8,486 refugees since the beginning of August.
Some refugees have resisted relocation. Ngaruze Bishaya, 46, a refugee said: “Presently I am here alone and I had a family of seven children and a wife. Telling me to go to another place I don’t know is adding insult an injury. I prefer to keep around. Maybe when things get stable I will go back and see if I can get my children.â€
Caleb Bahikaho
and Francisco Ahabyona
THE Minister for Security, Amama Mbabazi, has expressed concern about the appaling living conditions of Congolese refugees currently camped at Ishasha transit centre.
Mbabazi, who on Saturday inspected Ishasha border point in Kanungu to assess the situation of the refugees pouring across the border, also warned of a looming disease outbreak if the conditions are not improved.
Addressing the refugees, Mbabazi, whose Kinkizi West constituency also includes Ishasha, assured the refugees of protection and pledged Uganda Government’s support in resolving the conflict in the DRC.
Mbabazi said Uganda’s government was positive about the peace initiative brokered by Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo between the rebels of Gen. Laurent Nkunda and Congo’s government, led by President Joseph Kabila.
The UN agency’s (UNHCR) emergency team leader in Ishasha, Yuniko Takashima, said the poor facilities could not accommodate the heavy influx of refugees.
Meanwhile, the UNHCR has in the month of November registered 61 unaccompanied minors fleeing the Congo violence.
Of these, 57 of who have been settled with foster families while another 160 children had been relocated to Nakivale refugee settlement. There were also many children are among the civilian population currently seeking refuge at Ishasha transit centre.
The UNHCR recently announced plans to relocate the refugees from Ishasha to Matanda transit centre. The relocation is necessary as the refugee exodus has overwhelmed Ishasha’s water, sanitation and shelter facilities.
A number of humanitarian agencies — such as the Red Cross, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, MSF France and Save the Children Uganda — are providing food aid and relief items such as drugs, safe water facilities, blankets, soap, cups and health kits to the refugees at Ishasha.
Roberta Russo, external relations officer for UNHCR, said there has been a surge in the number of Congolese refugees entering Uganda, following fighting there.
In Kisoro, at Nyakabande transit centre, around 300 refugees previously hosted by Ugandan families in Nteko (close to Busanza border) had been relocated to Nakivale.
On Thursday, 10,000 new arrivals were received at Ishasha, bringing the total number of fleeing Congolese since the beginning of August, to about 27,000.
The UNHCR had on Thursday relocated around 1,000 refugees from Ishasha to Nakivale settlement in Isingiro district. Another 900 people were transferred on Friday. The transfer brings the total number of the new Congolese received at Nakivale refugee settlement to date to 8,486 refugees since the beginning of August.
Some refugees have resisted relocation. Ngaruze Bishaya, 46, a refugee said: “Presently I am here alone and I had a family of seven children and a wife. Telling me to go to another place I don’t know is adding insult an injury. I prefer to keep around. Maybe when things get stable I will go back and see if I can get my children.â€