By Teboho Serutla
The ministry of home affairs in collaboration with the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR on Thursday marked the refugee’s day under the theme: “Together we heal, learn and shine”.
The representative of UNHCR, Jesús Pérez Sanchez said at the event hosted in Maseru that the agency was committed to supporting Lesotho in international relations relevant to responsibility sharing.
The minister of home affairs Motlalentoa Letsosa observed that the way the kingdom integrated the refugees into the country’s fold was different from other states.
He said Lesotho, unlike in other countries, there are no refugee camps as they are integrated into the society and live with the nationals. That, he added, was indicative that the refugees are living in peace and are safe.
He also mentioned that the amendment bill for refugees has been the gazetted.
The day also saw food parcels donated to over 50 refugees and 50 community members at Mohalalitoe.
According to Letsosa handing over food parcels to both refugees and some residents in that area was to avert any possible conflict between the villagers and the refugees where dwellers would complain about being discriminated.
He added that eight more refugees will be granted sponsorship opportunity to continue with their studies at tertiary level. The offer will also be extended to two selected Basotho nationals living in Stadium Area..
Four refugees of which three are medical doctors were sworn-in as Basotho nationals after staying in the country for more than a decade.
The Stadium Area Member of Parliament, Mokherane Tsatsanyane pleaded to the minister to build a hall that would help the refugees have meetings with Mohalalitoe’s community members in order to know one another for participation in community policing activities.
According to the commissioner for refugees, Mohlolo Lerotholi refugee day began in 1975 as the African refugee day through resolution 398 of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
He added that in December 2000, there was a visible success in marking the African refugee day.
Lesotho is a member of the signatories in the UN Convention on status of the refugees.
