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Integration of refugees not easy, says EC envoy
2008-08-19 10:11:48
By Rose Mwalongo
The Heas of the European Commission Delegation in Tanzania, Ambassador Tim Clarke, has cautioned against underestimating the problems of integrating Burundian refugees.
The envoy made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the signing ceremony of a 4.6bn/- contract with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for supporting the naturalisation of Burundian refugees of the 1972 intake.
According to Ambassador Clarke, naturalisation of refugees is a complex social problem that needs concerted efforts to address.
Clarke`s comment came after a member of the press corps raised concern over the snail’s pace of voluntary repatriation of refugees and closure of camps in Western Tanzania.
The envoy, who some few weeks ago went to Burundi and visited refugees camps in Tanzania, said the situation in Burundi was ``not all roses.``
``The peace process in Burundi may be moving well, but they are different perceptions held by refugees.
There are some who fear insecurity while others feel that their needs would not be met.
There is a need to mobilise resources such as land and social services to enable them live a dignified life.``
He reiterated EC`s commitment to work with the government of Burundi so as to ensure that the country was conducive enough to accommodate the returning refugees.
The envoy paid homage to the government of Tanzania for its decision to offer citizenship to refugees.
``It is a unique and unprecedented act of generosity and humanity. The EC will finance the process,`` he said.
In his remarks, UNHCR Country Representative Yacoub El Hillo mentioned the EC as the largest donor for the refugee operations in Tanzania.
``EC has provided over 50 million Euros in the last three years for the purpose.
The strong support is vital in our search for lasting and dignified solutions for the remaining refugee population in the settlements and the camps,`` said El Hillo.
He said the repatriation process needed a lot of care as the endeavour aimed at solving, not creating a new problem.
``Let`s not forget that the repatriation of refugees is a long process whereby people have to choose when they want to go.
All in all, there have been significant progress as we now have four Burundian refugee camps in the country from the previous 11, meaning seven camps have been closed so far,`` said the UNHCR country representative.
The new contribution from the EC`s Development fund will go to the processing of citizenship applications filed by some 76,000 adult Burundian refugees.
The process is supported by UNHCR and its partners.
At least 80 percent of Burundian refugees of the 1972 intake have opted to remain and the remaining 20 percent have chosen to return home.
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