Government has called on the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other UN agencies to strengthen their partnership at all levels of humanitarian assistance.
Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Susan Sikaneta said there was need for UN agencies to work in collaboration with the host governments in addressing the current challenges of global food crises.
Ms. Sikaneta said for UN agencies to serve it beneficiaries more effectively, it must, jointly with government, find solutions to rising fuel and energy prices if the needy people were to be taken care of effectively.
She said this when she addressed the 43rd meeting of the standing committee of Executive Committee of UNHCR in Geneva today.
Ms Sikaneta alerted the international community of the looming situation in Zambia where the World Food Programme (WFP) has notified government that it would stop feeding 8,500 chronically vulnerable refugees in Maheba and Mayukwayukwa refugee camp by 30th September 2008.
She further noted that about 31,000 refugees at Kala and Mwange refugee camps would also be affected by 31st December 2008.
Ms Sikaneta charged that the WFP arrived at the decision on account that the refugees fall in the category of a protracted refugee’s situation.
She expressed concern that this development would place the concerned refugees, who including elderly people, the chronically ill and handicapped in a more vulnerable situation which may compel government to take desperate measures because of inadequate national resources to address the problem.
However, UN officials assured the Zambian delegation of the UNHCR’s commitment to finding a solution this problem, especially in prioritizing food needs of refugees and the displaced people.
And UNHCR Director for the Bureau for Africa, Marjon Kamara further assured the Zambian delegation of UNHCR’s commitment efforts to ensure that the refugees in Zambia were not at risk of starvation.
ZANIS/AH/KSH/ENDS
UN says no but no thank you.
The UN already know that. Tell ’em something they don’t know!
UN please help Zambia attain fair and peaceful elections. This is the time we need you most.
its the eec that has to invite them directly, but from the way things it looks like they have not done so. EEC needs to write to the UN,and the COMMONWEALTH to come and observe and ensure free and fair elections. just wishing