|
PM praises UNHCR for infrastructure improvement
2008-01-29 09:35:34
By Rose Mwalongo
Prime Minister Edward Lowassa has praised the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its efforts to improve the country\'s infrastructure, saying it had done so wholeheartedly even when refugees had left.
The PM made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday during talks with United Nations Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees (Operations) Judy Cheng-Hopkins, who paid him a courtesy call in his office.
``We have enjoyed your support in terms of infrastructure even after the refugees have left,`` said Lowassa.
He further thanked the UNHCR for its cooperation and promised that the government would do all it can to ensure that UN staff were safe.
``Your lives are very important. We will do whatever we can to ensure that your staff and property are safe,`` said the premier.
Lowassa`s statement came in response to Cheng-Hopkins`s statement that had raised concern over the security of UN staff and property, sighting attacks in some countries in the world.
She said the UNHCR appreciated the partnership with the Tanzanian government.
She thanked the country for tirelessly opening doors to refugees, adding: ``We would like every country in the world to behave like Tanzania in terms of its hospitality to refugees.``
``UNHCR faces a number of challenges. There is always a rush to find a durable solution due to new situations of conflicts that we never expected.
We always need to find a solution to the resettlement of refugees, voluntary repatriation and how to assist the vulnerable ones.
We also have to find a solution to see how we can assist those who want to stay at the host country. Our responsibility is to find a durable solution.``
Cheng-Hopkins further called on the government to maintain the UN-funded infrastructure once refugee camps had closed.
``UNHCR would like to know what happens to the infrastructure after the refugees are gone. We don\'t want them to be put to waste,`` she said.
Hopkins is in the country on an official tour of refugee camps.
UN Resident Coordinator in Tanzania Oscar Fernandez-Taranco reiterated the organisation\'s commitment to improve social services to communities near refugee camps.
He called on the government to set aside enough funds to enable it maintain the infrastructure during the transition period, adding: ``We don`t want the infrastructure to collapse.``
|
