By Moses Mugugunyeki
It was pomp and fanfare as hundreds of refugees at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge put their migration problems behind them as they joined millions of people from across the globe to celebrate World Red Cross Day.
Refugees are confined to a “strict and monitored” daily routine, but last Thursday hundreds of migrants out of the 12 980 staying at Tongogara Refugee Camp thronged the school grounds for the belated celebrations.
The celebrations, which started around 9am, were interposed by entertainment from divergent cultures representing different nationalities staying in the camp.
A large chunk of the refugees are from the Democratic Republic of Congo while others are from Sudan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Somalia and Burundi.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme Everywhere for Everyone: Love.
The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society decided to host the annual event at Tongogara Refugee Camp in line with this year’s theme that is centred on love.
“We are greatly encouraged to be marking this important day at Tongogara Refugee Camp. Our message is that of life and the theme Red Cross Everywhere for Everyone with a sub-theme of Love speaks to our commitment to serve,” ZRCS president Edson Mlambo said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“As we celebrate this day today, I hope the residents of Tongogara Refugee Camp and many of our stakeholders and beneficiaries have a lot that they love about the Red Cross and its scope of work.
“Here at Tongogara Refugee Camp, ZRCS in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross is providing free restoration of family links and internet connectivity services to beneficiaries from Africa and all over the world who may have left their mother countries because of various reasons.”
Camp administrator Johanne Mhlanga hailed ZRCS for bringing smiles to the refugees.
“The decision by the Red Cross management to come to Tongogara Refugee Camp was a great recognition of the products of human tsunamis,” Mhlanga said.
“Refugee life is characterised and defined by isolation, boredom and confinement. Now by coming to the camp and by deciding to bring their ambassador to the camp, life was injected into the camp. The day was full of fun and joy from the refugees and even the host community.”
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Sekai Nzenza, who was the guest of honour, said government was committed to address the challenges faced by Tongogara Refugee Camp.
“As the ministry responsible, we are committed and will listen to the challenges facing the camp. We are in a new dispensation, we do business differently, we do it for people and we do it for refugees,” Nzenza said.
ZRCS recognised 12 of its volunteers for doing a sterling job during the Cyclone Idai disaster while the humanitarian ambassador Alick Macheso was rewarded for his role in the humanitarian cause.
Macheso later performed sending fans, mostly refugees, into delirium.
