The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is tomorrow expected to launch an electrification project at Meheba Refugee settlement in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) in partnership with Kalumbila and Solwezi local authorities.
Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on North-western Province Permanent Secretary Grandson Katambi in Solwezi district today, UNHCR Representative Preeta Law said the project is aimed at promoting the use of clean energy at the settlement located in Kalumbila district.
Ms. Law said the project is focused on electrifying public places that include education, health and other community institutions.
She said the same works will be done in other refugee settlements such as the Mayukwayukwa in Kaoma district and Mantapala in Nchelenge district.
She said the work at Meheba Refugees settlement has been made possible due to the excellent collaboration between UNHCR and the government of Zambia.
ZANIS reports that Ms. Law has called for continued collaboration on integration and promotion of self-reliance among refugees to enable them contribute to National development.
“I have met a number of refugees and former refugees, most of them would like to come back and make positive contributions for the development of the community they once lived in when they were homeless, hence the need to work more closely on self-reliance programmes and achieve meaningful inclusion in future,” she said.
She expressed gratitude that the government is already putting in efforts and setting a good example in adopting inclusion and integration of refugees in national plans such as education and healthcare services, adding that the inclusion of refugees in such programmes is the foundation of global compact.
“Many refugees including children now have access to education, thanks to the government of Zambia,” she said.
At the same event Ms. Law disclosed that the Work Bank has agreed to give a grant to the government under the refugee host community window by mid next month.
“As you are aware, the government asked for a grant in the range of 15 and 30 million United States Dollars under the refugee host community window and the bank has agreed that Zambia is eligible for that grant. After the UNHCR and the World Bank did an assessment last year in April the results are positive,
“They will be coming back in February to do a detailed study of the projects and Meheba resettlement will be part of that project,” she said.
She emphasized that the World Bank project will be aimed at benefiting the refugees, former refugees and the host community.
And Col. Katambi (Rtd) has commended efforts by UNHCR towards improving the welfare of refugees in the country adding that the electrification programme will bring hope and development to the resettlement and the nearby community.
“Your efforts to improve the welfare of refugees are noble and should be commendable and we are thankful for the support you have rendered,” he said.
He has assured the UNHCR that North-western Province is ready to support the project and will continue to protect and live side by side with the refugees.
