Zambia poised to host over 76,000 refugees

ZAMBIA is projected to receive over 76,000 refugees by the end of 2018, says Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo.

Mr Kampyongo said Zambia was committed to strengthening its settlement approach in hosting refugees therefore there was need to set up facilities to address the current challenge of inadequate social amenities in refugee camps.

He said this when he launched the Zambia country chapter of the Regional Refugee Response plan (RRRP) for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Lusaka on Wednesday.

Mr Kampyongo said to adequately respond to the needs of the Congolese refugees, more than $74 million was needed.

Mr Kampyongo said governPent needed to fulfill its international obligation of providing protection and finding a lasting solution to the refugee problem.

And United Nations country coordinator Janet Rogan praised Zambia for being a safe haven for over 40 years for people seeking refuge.

She said the launch of the RRRP was an indication that the government was bringing an integrated approach, protecting and settling the refugees alongside host communities and not only to survive but to thrive together.

Ms Rogan stated that the UN had earlier this year raised $6.6million from the central emergency response fund for the first si[ Ponths to assist in opening up Mantapala refugee camp in Luapula Province. She explained that the UN worked by supporting the government of the day to deliver on national priorities.

She appealed to all stakeholders not to let down the citizens of DRC who had crossed over to Luapula seeking safety. Ms Rogan said the circumstances in Zambia were conducive to providing a successful, integrated, comprehensive response, bringing together development and humanitarian support.