The ManicaPost
Freedom Mutanda
Post Correspondent
THE harmonious relationship that exists between refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge and the host communities must be upheld as it fosters integration, a top UNHCR official has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of her recent visit to Tongogara Refugee Camp, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Ms Gillian Triggs, said such social cohesion is catalytic for development.
“There is harmonious interaction between refugees and the host communities here. This is highly commendable because that is not the case in many countries,” she said.
Tongogara Refugee Camp has Musapingura, London, Chibuwe and Maronga as host communities.
Its clinic serves about 1 500 households from outside the camp.
Ms Triggs commended the camp for having a robust education system in place and pledged to support their efforts in improving it by engaging development partners.
Children from the surrounding communities are enrolled at the camp’s school from Early Childhood Development (ECD) up to Form Four.
Said Ms Triggs: “As the camp’s school is also serving children from local communities, there is need for adequate facilities to cater for everyone. This calls for more classroom blocks and computers to facilitate e-learning.”
