Congolese refugees demand repatriation

• 30% born at Kiziba refugee camp WESTERN PROVINCE KARONGI— More than 30 percent of Congolese refugees at Kiziba refugee camp in Karongi District were born in the camp. This was revealed by Francois Gikumba, the president of the camp committee during celebrations to mark the World Refugee Day last Friday. Celebrated under the theme ‘Real people, real needs’, the day was marked by an entertainment session staged by youth within the camp during which refugees were given the opportunity to table their needs. Gikumba thanked the government of Rwanda for hosting them over the years. He however, challenged the Kigali and Kinshasa governments to find ways of repatriating them back to their home land. “We need to go back to our country and work for our community. We have been treated well by the government of Rwanda but we still need its role in repatriating us through talks with our home government ,” he said. Denis Bisengimana, who represented Western Province governor Celestin Kabahizi at the function, assured the refugees that there are plans by Government to repatriate them. “There are efforts by the government of Rwanda in close concert with your government to repatriate you. This is evidenced by the fact that embassies in both countries are soon to be opened,” he said. Marie Cisse, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) field officer said that 42 million people around the world live as refugees. She added that UNHCR chose this year’s theme to clearly demonstrate that refugees are normal part of humanity who need to be accorded support like provision of health care. “The refugee day is a time we remember the 42 million refugees around the world and look out how we can help them in their daily needs,” she said. The American Refugee Committee hygiene officer, Innocent Nkurunziza, disclosed that they have provided modern energy saving cook stoves commonly known as ‘Rondereza’ to the camp refugees in a bid to protect the environment. He noted that since the distribution of energy saving stoves was initiated in February this year, this has reduced on the use of firewood at the camp by 50 percent. “In a way this project has minimised conflicts between refugees and the host community because refugees no long encroach on surrounding forests looking for firewood,” he said. Meanwhile the occasion was used by over 50 couples to formalise their marriages. During the same occasion, refugee students who had completed catering and building courses were awarded certificates. Ends