Xenophobic victims in Zambia demand compensation

Some refugees who were subjected to xenophobic attacks in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, have demanded compensation.

In April, shops belonging to some refugees, mostly from Rwanda, were attacked by local people after the owners were suspected of being behind a spate of ritual killings that had hit some parts of the city. Seven people were found dead with body parts missing.

Emile Hatungimana, chairman-general of the refugee community in Zambia, said the xenophobic attacks and looting of foreign-owned shops and property were barbaric and senseless, and that the victims should be compensated.

"Many are the victims and so far none is talking about compensation. At least something to start rebuilding their livelihoods again," he said during commemoration of this year's World Refugee Day, according to a the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) statement received Tuesday.

He thanked stakeholders who offered sanctuary to the refugees and other foreigners during the xenophobic attacks.

Laura Lo Castro, the UNHCR Representative in Zambia, also condemned the attacks on the foreigners.

While revealing that the UNHCR was not in a position to compensate all the refugees affected by the xenophobic attacks, she said some assistance through the agency's implementing partner Action Africa Help International Zambia would be given to the most desperate cases.

Zambia currently hosts over 50,000 refugees. Endit