Refugees protest poor shelter
One of the homes at Nakivale Refugee Settlement. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI
ISINGIRO- A section of refugees in Nakivale Refugee Settlement on Friday stormed United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices protesting poor accommodation facilities.
Rain has destroyed their makeshift houses and more than 100 families are congested in the available few shelters.
Some of the protesters claimed they were last given plastic sheeting in 2009.
“I have been here for 10 years. We last received plastic tarpaulins eight years ago,” Mr Pastori Nsengiyunva, one of the refugees, said.
Mr Charles Nsenga Birikumaso, the chairperson of Refugee Welfare Council at Juru Camp, said more than 54 houses have been destroyed by rain and most people do not have where to sleep.
“With the available structures, you cannot accommodate your neighbour whose house has crumbled. People stay out in the cold,” Mr Nsenga said.
He said their pleas to UNHCR to provide new plastic sheeting have been in vain.
Mr Ramadhan Ssendegeya, the chairperson of Rubondo Sub-base Camp, said more than 39 families are homeless and that they expect a worse situation because the rainy season has started.
“The accommodation for refugees is appalling. With the onset of rains, the situation has worsened. I have already communicated to relevant authorities about it. This is an emergency and it needs quick intervention,” Mr John Ssentamu, the commandant, said.
Mr Andrea Rhegeti, the UNHCR Refugee Protection Officer, said they are working together with Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to help the affected homes.
“We have started with assessment. It is being done by OPM. We know it is a serious problem and we are taking it as an emergency,” Mr Rhegeti said.
