22 Jun 2016

With close to 3 000 refugees and asylum seekers still in Botswana, the government continues to make sure that their needs are catered for.

Officiating at the Refugee Day commemoration recently at Dukwi Refugee camp , acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defense Justice and Security, Ms Dimpho Mogami said the government was committed to continue receiving and protecting the refugees in accordance with the provision of international human rights instruments governing the status of refugees.

“We are committed as the government to ensure that refugees’ safety and basic needs are met within the available resources at our disposal,” she said.

Of recent, she pointed out that many people had been forced to travel long and dangerous routes searching for safety and majority had perished on their way mainly in deserts and seas. And this has forced the public and institutions such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to come up with campaigns to sensitise the world on the plight of refugees.

 And it is as such that the government continues to work closely with UNHCR to ensure that solutions to problems of refugees are found adding that this year’s theme of “We stand together with refugees” was aimed at raising awareness in communities on the plight of refugees and call upon those who were still lucky to be enjoying peace to embrace refugees and give them support.

    In addition, Ms Mogami noted that Botswana has been assisting refugees who choose to return to their homes to do so in safety and dignity adding that government also has been able to provide 12 years of formal education to all children of refugees for free. 

And this she said has assisted those who want to go back to their countries of origin to integrate fully into their societies.

Furthermore, she highlighted that through Skillshare International Botswana, Botswana as a country continues to provide opportunities through its collaboration with partners for excelling students with scholarships. 

Also in effort to improve the livelihoods of refugees, Skillshare with support from UNHCR and Tutume Sub district trained 25 refugees on agricultural skills. Meanwhile the chairperson of the refugee community Mr Bhekimpilo Weza at the camp said they appreciate the government for hosting them however he pleaded with the government of Botswana to relax its policies and allow the refugees to engage in some activities which can also contribute positively to the economy of their host.

Mr Weza stated they have been assisted in engaging in agricultural activities but because of serious water crisis, they are unable to produce yields hence with other activities which do not need much water they can be productive as well.

For his part UNHCR chief of mission, Mr Mulugeta Zewdie said as wars continue to spiral out of control, the world need to stand together and support refugees. He said UNHCR  calls for organisations and government across the world to join in the campaign to support refugees and help in finding permanent solutions. ENDS