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Roundup: Uganda appeals to Kenya to reconsider closure of Somali refugee camp

Xinhua, June 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Uganda has appealed to neighboring Kenya to reconsider its decision to close a refugee camp that hosts Somali refugees in the northeastern part of the country.

Hillary Onek, Uganda's minister for relief, disaster preparedness and refugees urged the Kenyan authorities to exercise compassion towards the suffering Somali refugees in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee settlements.

Dadaab refugee camp hosts an estimated 500,000 refugees mainly from Somalia.

Onek, while speaking at a commemoration event to mark World Refugee Day early this week in Kyegegwa District in Western Uganda, said the concerns raised by Kenya are valid but a decision to close the camp would be detrimental.

Kenyan authorities have argued that the camp would be closed by May next year citing economic, security and environmental concerns.

Apollo Kazungu, Commissioner for Refugees at the Office of the Prime Minister said Uganda and other stakeholders will continue to lobby Kenya through different fora to rescind its decision.

"There are various fora in which we are addressing this matter. Kenya is being told to take caution in the closure of these settlements," Kazungu said.

Onek said Uganda would continue to honor its international obligation of hosting refugees.

"When other countries are closing (camps) and chasing out refugees, we can't do that to humanity. We shall continue to receive refugees and give them the necessary support," he said.

The country, according Onek, has started the construction of semi-permanent houses in refugee settlements in order to provide decent accommodation to refugees and reduce environmental degradation.

The pioneer project is run by Refugees Department, Office of the Prime Minister in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) and the Danish Refugee Council.

Uganda hosts over half a million refugees and asylum-seekers in different settlements countrywide, the highest number ever in its history, according to figures by UNHCR.

The country is hailed for its policy on refugees. Upon receiving official recognition, refugees are given a piece of land where they are settled and can cultivate.

Uganda last year signed a Refugee and Host Population Empowerment Strategic framework with UN agencies, the World Bank and other development partners to support resilience-building efforts for refugees and host communities. Endit