EDITORIAL: Cash aid for refugees a commendable move

The recent announcement that more refugees in the country will soon receive cash handouts instead of food rations is a welcome move since it is expected to help improve the quality of life of the beneficiaries. The initiative, which will see the refugees buy their own food, will allow them to buy what they need and want other than just cereals and beans that many of them have fed on day in, day out for close to two decades. Some of the refugees say they have been forced to sell off their rations, rather cheaply, and the beneficiaries were the unscrupulous middlemen. However, under the new arrangement, the refugees will get the meals they desire and the initiative is also expected to bolster economic activity in all the five refugee camps in the country. This is because, with the cash, the refugees will buy their groceries from the people around, and this will increase cash flow within these communities which will, in turn, impact positively on development in these areas. Most importantly, it will allow them to buy foods that are rich in health nutrients which would help fight the effects of poor nutrition, especially among children. It is, however, important that caution is taken by looking critically at all the communities around the refugee camps to ensure they can sustainably supply groceries to the refugees all year round. The management of cash in refugee camps should also be closely monitored because huge sums of money in circulation within a densely populated community like a refugee camp could also invite crime. Measures such as setting up savings and credit cooperatives (Saccos) in the camps, through which the money can be disbursed, can be considered. While the refugees, the majority of whom are Congolese, await the opportunity to return to their home country, it is important that stakeholders continue to do all necessary to make their stay in Rwanda as comfortable as possible. The move to give them money, rather than food aid, is part of these efforts and is therefore commendable.

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EDITORIAL: Cash aid for refugees a commendable move