Refugees Welfare Council III appeals for Humanitarian Aid to the displaced refugees

The office of Refugees Welfare Council (RWCIII) Rhino camp refugee’s settlement is appealing to the UN Humanitarian agency to support the refugees who were displaced following the fight in Tika Zone Rhino camp between the refugees and the local host communities. The conflict left at least ten refugees dead, scores displaces and properties destroyed.

 The chairperson of RWCIII, Rhino camp refugee settlement, Mr. Wafula Martine, made this appeal during a phone interview from Ocea Zone Rhino camp refugee settlement in Madi Okollo district.

 He said the fight that started in Tika 1 B, Rigbo Sub-County, Madi Okollo between the local host communities and the refugees over animal destruction left refugees properties destroyed, and over 60 houses of the refugees burnt.

 He said that six bodies of the refugees were buried last week on Tuesday at the settlement in the presence of the refuges desk officer and the district police commissioner of Madi Okollo. He indicated that as a way forward, parties concerned with refugee affairs are going to engage both the refugees and the host communities in dialogue and community policing. This was proposed to kick off on Monday, September, 21.

 He said that the refugees whose properties and houses burned are currently sheltering at Tika primary school. He added that the local host communities are also living in fear since the incident occurred as many have since been arrested.

 RWC III further appealed to the humanitarian agency to compensate those whose houses were burnt, those who lost their properties as well as those who lost their dear ones during the conflict.

 Additionally, he appealed to the Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR to compensate the refugees who are helpless and relocate them to the nearest village in Tika four, which seems safe for the refugees to settle in.

 “We are urging youth from the refugees' side as well as from the local host communities not to revenge and not to continue fighting,’’ he added.

 RWC III also said that they have urged the affected people to stay calm as Red Cross and other partners are on the ground to deliver humanitarian support and assistance to the displaced.

 Mr. Martine stated that he is hoping for a combined effort between the government of Uganda, the office of the prime minister, refugee leaders, the locals, and the humanitarian organization to harmonize the situation.

 He indicated that some food was taken from Imvipi refugees’ settlement to help those who are sheltered in Tika primary school considering the fact that the situation of the refugees at Tika primary school was in more dire need as they had lost everything when they were attacked by the local host communities.

 “We are planning to have community dialogue with the refugees and local host communities so that there can be an agreement on how the two groups can coexist peacefully,” he said as he appealed to the authorities to come and advocate for peace as the option of relocating the refugees is not possible due to this hard times of coronavirus pandemic.

By Gaaniko Samson Jerry