Vice President Mutale Nalumango says collective efforts among NGOs, government and cooperating partners is crucial in providing essential services and creating opportunities for refugees to thrive.
She says despite the fact that government and cooperating partners have achieved much, there is still a need to strive to offer not just temporary relief but lasting solutions.
Mrs Nalumango said the government has therefore taken a paradigm shift by providing a new model of ‘modernisation of refugees and hosting communities settlement approach ‘ which aims at providing access to quality education, healthcare, employment opportunities and enabling refugees to become self-reliant.
She said this entails advocating for policies and legislation harmonisation that protect the refugees rights and dignity by ensuring that they are treated with respect and dignity.
Mrs Nalumango who is also Acting President was speaking in Kalumbila when she officiated at the World Refugee Day whose theme was ”Empowering Refugees: Developing Solutions and Skills for a brighter future.”
The Vice President who also officially commissioned the Meheba Extension Grid project said refugees regardless of their background or adversities they have faced bring unparalleled strength, diversity and richness to the country.
She said the government remains committed to fulfilling the ten refined and smart pledges made at the 2023 Global Refugees Forum in Geneva Switzerland in order to improve the welfare of refugees.
North Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu extolled the resilience of refugees for their courage and determination in rebuilding their lives.
He also thanked the traditional leadership for offering land to the refugees adding that there was also a need to empower them to become productive.
Chief Mumena called on the perpetrators of the tribal remarks to stop it, urging them to pick a leaf from Meheba where people have been displaced for various reasons.
He also called on the government to remove unnecessary barriers that hinder refugees from participating in national development.
”I implore the government to remove all unnecessary barriers and I am glad to see electricity in Meheba and this is one way of removing the barriers as it would enable them to participate in the economy ”, he said.
Meheba has been electrified in partnership with the government, REA and UNHCR.