Refugee crisis gets German funding
EIGHT million Kwacha has been committed to help with the refugee issue in Zambia and Angola from the German Government through the United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
This comes after the Zambian government and the UNHCR stressed over the unmet financial needs to ensuring appropriate care and support to the refugees.
A delegation from the German embassy visited the Kenani Refugee Transit Centre in Nchelenge, Luapula Province to hand over relief supplies worth 50,000 € (ca. 600,000 ZMW) including mosquito nets, solar lamps, chitenge, children’s clothes and soccer balls.
Additionally, 150 soccer balls were donated to the hosting communities in appreciation of their hospitality and willingness to help in face of the humanitarian challenges unfolding in the north of Zambia. The hand-over ceremony was attended by representatives from the refugee community as well as the UNHCR field team, the district commissioner and the council chairman.
Nchelenge District Commissioner Dereck Mwelwa said, “as a refugee-hosting district, we wish to applaud this gesture, which has recognised the need to support both the refugees and the Zambian community.”
“As we assist the refugees, let’s also look at the host community, who also require various services. Such an approach will ensure there is continued harmony between the refugees and the Zambians in the surrounding community,” he added.
And German ambassador Achim Burkart stated that, “Zambia and Germany share the common experience of welcoming refugees fleeing from conflict into our respective countries. My Government is familiar with the logistical, financial and integrational challenges and I am therefore very glad to announce that the German government has committed €700,000 (over K8 million ) to the UNHCR refugee response in Zambia and Angola in 2018.” The money is earmarked for the refugee emergency response in Angola and Zambia.
Until now, less than a quarter of the financial requirements had been covered. Germany is the first bilateral partner to provide humanitarian relief supplies in face of the current influx of refugees from the DRC.