The World Food Program (WFP) and  the United Nations high Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) have pledged more support to refugees and Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) in the region.

This was revealed by Ogden Katz, the WFP food security specialist following a meeting that brought together regional delegates of the UN agencies on a Joint Assessment Mission (JAM).

The meeting, which began Monday, took place in Rubavu district, Western Province, revised the 2008 joint assessment guidelines on the situation of urban refugees and other displaced people.

The meeting drew participants from Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.

Ogden said they agreed to give more support in resettling the refugees and IDPs in the region as well as giving them more food.

"With in the next two years, we want to show more commitment in helping the refugees in towns and villages and IDPs get settled,” she said on the sidelines of the group’s visit to Gisozi Genocide Memorial Centre where they had gone to pay tribute to the victims.

They laid a wreath and held a moment of silence in respect of the victims.
 
"What I have seen on the ground is unexpected horror to me,” she said. "I used to hear of Genocide in Rwanda but I did not know what and how it was.”

She appreciated the government’s efforts in uniting and reconciling Rwandans despite what happened.

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