[ad_1]
Justice Minister Machana Shamukuni said despite government efforts to urge refugees at Dukwe camp to consider integrating with the local population by acquiring Botswana citizenship, they were unwilling to heed the call.
Botswana hosts about 760 refugees and asylum seekers from countries including Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.
Speaking at a UNHCR World Refugee Day commemoration at the Dukwe refugee camp last week, Shamkuni lamented that such efforts had not yielded much results.
“I urge refugees to consider local integration, but I regret that the number of applications received is very low,” he said.
He said local integration was to give refugees the opportunity to apply for land and settle anywhere they wish after they are given Botswana citizenship.
Meanwhile, the minister said he would introduce a bill in the next parliamentary session aimed at amending the Refugees (Identification and Control) Act to bring it in line with international best practices.
He said that for refugees to feel welcome, they must take an interest in the affairs of the host country. The Minister said it was in the refugees’ interest to learn and adopt the lifestyle, culture and language of the host community. He expressed appreciation for the UNHCR’s continued support to the refugees by providing food and non-food items to the Government.
These include housing, living allowances and medical expenses. The minister also expressed concern that some foreigners arrived in Botswana under the pretext of seeking asylum and disappeared without a trace soon after being approved.
“We suspect these people are involved in human trafficking and migrant smuggling. We have engaged security experts in this matter to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.
Madhoda Nassa, Head of UNHCR’s Field Office and Liaison Officer to the Southern African Development Community Secretariat, said UNHCR continued to face significant financial challenges in fulfilling its overall protection mandate.
“I can tell you that $10.622 billion is needed to support the 130.8 million forcibly displaced stateless people in 133 countries and territories around the world. This amount of money is really sobering and we urgently need it,” he said.
Nasha said that over the years, new conflicts have continued to flare up while others remain unresolved. He also said that at the same time, extreme weather events have also had a devastating impact, displacing communities and further exacerbating the situation. He said it is important to note that seeking asylum is not an option but the only viable option for many people to survive and find peace. However, he commended the Government of Botswana for implementing several projects and initiatives at the Global Refugee Forum, including the amendment of the Refugee Act.
“Moreover, these commitments have been incorporated into the Second Transitional National Development Plan (April 2023-March 2025), thus making it an essential part of the national development agenda,” he added.
Nasha also said that no action is insignificant, as a commitment to include refugees in schools, workplaces, healthcare systems and communities is the most effective way to support and rebuild their lives.
[ad_2]
Source link
