Help dialogue at all levels about refugees in DRC

BRINGING OF TABLE THE REFUGEE PROTECTION AGENDA

We are bringing on the now the effective protection of refugees in the Democratic Republic. With the work we have done in South Kivu, North Kivu and Tanganyika Provinces we have reached to the conclusion that the host communities are willing to live in harmony with refugees. However the load of work is on the side of the government which should organize refugees, and put in place in protection approach which responds to all their needs.

As per now, DRC government has not yet put in place a refugee protection approach, it also the same with its strategic partners mainly UNHCR which is more focused of refugee repatriation as the only durable solution.

Three things now have to change and this requires a strong advocacy programme focusing on policies (to change the current refugee law in DRC), the human resource (train new actors who will have a human center approach and) then lastly financial resource (most of refugee activities highly depend on financial support from UNHCR), and this is not the best way. Government offices working on refugees issues are hired by UNHCR, office furniture are provided by UNHCR and all activities depend on UNHCR.

It is now time to engage of various forms of dialogue at national level, please continue supporting our activities.  

Let us work together for the effective protection of refugees in the Democratic Republic, this will restore peace at 60%.

One among the root causes of different wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the lack of a proper management of refugees. In order to address the situation we have proposed discussions, and dialogue opportunities at all levels so that all stakeholders may come to comprises and common solutions to the refugee dilemma in DRC.

Various activities have been done.

Sharing information about refugees: In order to clarify on the myths and combat wrong information, we have collected information about refugees in various places in DRC, we have shared information about them, when they came, why they came, what problems they are facing, how they are surviving and how best we can help them to live better. We have used all our various social media platforms and also engaged the Press sometimes, we have also organized meetings in order to exchange.

Presenting the legal context: We have helped some actors to know about the legal framework which govern refugees in DRC and the international Conventions, we have also held discussions on the gaps so that we may pave a way forward. We have also trained now people both refugees, members of the host communities and government officers on the protection of refugees and on the legal regime which governs refugees.

These are geared towards having in place the very first generation of people in DRC who have understanding about refugee issues and the whole problematic of forced-migrants and this will help them to come up with adequate solutions.

Encouraging the states to co-operate on refugee issues

Currently refugee issues are inclusive in the USA Peace deal between DRC and Rwanda in order to end wars among the two countries. Our next roles now are to ensure that the rights of refugees are respected and ensure the signatory countries respect their commitments.

And lastly empowering refugees

We are first of all doing our best to identify refugees, and identify also key refugee leaders and vocal people among them who can argue about their rights. This will help to ensure that refugees are part of the decision-making but not mere victims, at the same time we are trying to organize them and empower them about their rights.

Advocacy

With the current deportation of refugees in Goma, North Kivu, we have made various statements and strongly condemned the involvement of UNHCR.

In DRC, refugee issues are not only humanitarian but also a security and a peace issue.

Thanks