Govt resettles families evicted from Tanzania

The government yesterday started the resettlement of more than 5,000 Rwandans who were evicted from Tanzania in August last year.A total of 14,533 persons were evicted from Tanzania, of which 8,361 have already been reunited with their families in various parts of the country.The resettlement was launched by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs permanent secretary, who witnessed the send-off of at least 269 persons belonging to 96 families to be resettled in Kicukiro, (101) Ngororero (73) and Nyarugenge (95) districts.Trucks were used to transfer the evictees who have been residing in the camp for almost six months since their expulsion from Tanzania in August last year.“We have around 5,000 people left to be resettled,” Antoine Ruvebana, the permanent secretary, said. “They are currently living in the transit camps at Rukara and Kinazi in Kayonza and Kirehe districts, respectively.”He said government had cleared land in various districts for the resettlement of the displaced people.The permanent secretary added he hoped the resettlement of the evicted people will be complete by January 13, adding that government had achieved a considerable task to locate the affected persons in different districts.“Minor issues still remain to be addressed on the resettlement of the displaced people... the government needs only short time to complete the resettlement process. Mid this month all camps should be closed,” Ruvebana said.According to Kirehe District mayor Protais Murayire, the resettlement programme was well organised, and that residents waited to welcome their compatriots.Choice of evicteesThe mayor said people in camps inevitably find themselves in very precarious conditions, adding that they needed decent housing, access to social services, and the creation of livelihood opportunities.“We can’t allow Rwandans to live like refugees in their country. We are resettling them in communities, where they will live a more meaningful life. We don’t, therefore, need to think so much; we planned well in advance and no mayor will be taken unawares,” he said.Odette Uwamariya, the Eastern Province governor, said the resettlement procedure respected freedom of movement and choice of place for evictees seeking to return to their original places of residence.“Everyone chose districts where they can go and settle. In fact, most of them had roots in such areas, so they enjoyed that fundamental right of choice. We hope they will quickly integrate in society,” she said.The ministry is providing building materials while districts provide land for permanent integration.UN agencies such as World Food Programme and UNHCR will continue to assist with basic necessities like food and other basic needs for three months to enable the evictees fully reintegrate.

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Govt resettles families evicted from Tanzania