5,800 Tanzania evictees to be resettled this week

Rwandans who were evicted from Tanzania in the second half of 2013 will welcome the New Year with cheer after government finalised plans to move them from transit centres and resettle them permanently effective this week.Antoine Ruvebana, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, told The New Times yesterday that the 5,830 evictees will be relocated from Kiyanzi and Rukara transit centres in Kirehe District on Friday to districts.Citizens not for campsAbout 14,253 people returned following their controversial expulsion from Tanzania in August. The evictees include 8,361 who have since reunited with their families in various parts of the country.“We don’t want Rwandans to be staying in camps in their own country; we had a meeting with all the mayors and the Ministry of Local Government and agreed to relocate these people,” Ruvebana said.Districts have already identified the settlement sites where the evictees will be temporarily relocated before reintegrating them into communities, according to the permanent secretary.Ruvebana said the ministry will provide building materials for the temporally settlements, while UN agencies such as World Food Programme, Unicef and UNHCR assist with basic necessities.He said the assistance will be provided for three months until the evictees will be able to provide for themselves.Districts will provide land as well as help permanent integration.The PS said the process is being fast tracked to allow the evictees’ children begin schools next term.James Musoni, the minister for local government, and a delegation of other officials who toured Kinazi Camp on Saturday, assured the evictees of government support.“It is unfortunate that you suddenly left your homes in Tanzania, but it’s again a blessing in disguise because home is best. It is above all your country, so don’t regret being here,” he told them.Musoni advised them to work hard to integrate quickly in society once they are relocated, adding that they should embrace the ongoing development programmes.“Forget about your past life in Tanzania… that is history that in any case was not good. Start new life with a vision that you share with other Rwandans.”The delegation included district mayors, who left with lists of persons to be resettled in their respective areas.Self-reliant lifeSeraphine Mukantabana, the minister for disaster management and refugee affairs, said the two camps of Rukara and Kinazi would be closed, as the current occupants relocate.“We shall provide you with food, utensils, shelter, until you are able to live on your own. Your children will be exempted from school fees…uniform and other school needs will be provided. The bottom line is to lead you to an independent life, which I am sure you will attain in near future,” she said.Earlier, the officials joined residents in community work (Umuganda) in the camp, where a number of trees were planted.John Mugabo, Kayonza mayor, told The New Times they had already identified sectors to settle some of the evictees.“We were given 126 families, we are ready to welcome them and help to integrate them in our district,” Mugabo said.They will be welcomed to a transit centre in Rukara sector from where they will be dispatched to other sectors, including Gahini, Ndego, Mwiri as well as Murundi, the mayor said.However, he added, the evictees will be consulted on areas of their preference since there is possibility of some having relatives around.

National

5,800 Tanzania evictees to be resettled this week