Currently Malawi hosts approximately 12 000 refugees (I dare use this terminology), and more are coming by the day. Most of them are located in the overcrowded Kapise camp, while others are scattered in the southern part of the country. Re-opening of Luwani camp, that was used during the Mozambique refugee influx during the '90s will facilitate all refugees in an acceptable way. NCA and two local ACT partners got involved as an ACT team in preparing for the refugees to settle in Luwani. We committed ourselves to work on water and sanitation needs. Urgently we needed to address these needs in the reception center. Our team landed in the nearby town of Mwanza before last weekend, and started surveying the task together with UNHCR. The first refugees were to arrive this last Friday, so there was no time to lose.
I visited our team Monday and Tuesday this last week, and I could witness how they systematically and quickly got their feet on the ground and started working on the urgent tasks. Clearing of land for the reception center was step one, while identifying water sources - boreholes- was a basic precondition for settling people in the area. Next step was to construct latrines, shower houses, hand-washing stands and digging solid waste pits. Other organizations under the leadership of UNHCR got down to other tasks, including erecting tents and preparing other important services.
By end of Thursday the first latrines and shower houses were ready for the first refugees who were brought into the reception center on Friday.
I am proud of our team that got off the ground and prepared these facilities in time. They are continuing to increase the capacity, allowing the entire reception center be populated by 500 people.
The two first bus-loads of refugees arrive
Currently we have limited funding, but we hope additional money will make it possible to move into the main camp and accompany refugees when they construct and maintain their sanitation facilities. Our plan is to see 300 family latrines being constructed over the next two-three months. UNHCR has planned for a total of 30,000 refugees in Luwani. There is plenty of work to be done!
A SIDEBAR ON POLITICS
As I follow the campaign trails of presidential candidates in USA, and observe election promises from politician around the world, a news article in "The Daily Times" this week caught my attention.
Mr Ambokire Salimu has sued the Malawi Election Commission. He has asked the High Court to restrain the Electoral Commission from holding any elections until a provision in the Electoral Law is introduced that "public officers should account for campaign promises they make to get into the office." This is an interesting move. Imagine that all politicians who promise "heaven on earth" during election campaigns will be held legally responsible for these promises when they take up their offices! I wonder who would dare to campaign for offices if such laws are implemented... Does anyone know any politician who has kept his/her campaign promises? While legal responsibility probably is beyond imagination, we could at least hope for some ethical responsibility once in a while?
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