Tongogara: Hope to foreigners

Harmony Agere

While thousands of Zimbabweans left the country in search of so-called greener pastures, there are some foreign nationals who are desperate to enter this country in search of nothing else but hope.

With much of the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa engaged in armed conflicts, Zimbabwe is slowly becoming the most preferred destination for refugees due to its tranquil environment.

According to investigations, the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country has doubled up since last year, a development which has seen the population at Tongogara Refugee Camp (TRC) rise to over 8 000.

TRC authorities say roughly 150 refugees arrive at the camp every month seeking asylum, a situation which has however, led to sanitation, food and other social challenges.

A Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) released by the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) recently revealed that asylum-seekers cross into Zimbabwe through the border posts or unofficial points of entry and make their own way to Tongogara.

The report further revealed that the majority of asylum seekers come from the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi while some come from as far as Bangladesh.

Investigations revealed that even those who came from countries that are now peaceful are refusing to go back to their countries as they are satisfied with life at TRC.

While some locals who left the country to work in neighbouring countries such as South Africa blame lack of opportunities, some refugees at TRC think otherwise.

Most of them believe Zimbabwe is full of lucrative opportunities and are now proud owners of businesses in and outside the camp.

Mr Celestin Bizimungo arrived at TRC in 2006 fleeing war from Rwanda. Back then, he only had his family and tattered hope.

But today, Bizimungo owns 26 cattle, a grocery shop, a commuter omnibus, a butchery and two family cars.

“I arrived at this camp in 2006 after civil war had intensified in Chibungo village where I stayed with my wife and five children,” he said.

“We had to travel a long distance, sometimes we walked and sometimes we were transported by truck drivers but we finally made it here through Zambia,” he narrated.

He said he is happy at TRC and brushed off any possibilities of going back to Rwanda.

“At first it was not easy, the life of a refugee is never easy and you have to be strong. However, the most important thing is that there is peace here in Zimbabwe and we are treated very well in this camp.”

“Zimbabwe is a peaceful country full of opportunities for everyone, I came here with nothing but today I have so much wealth due to hard work.

“I joined a cattle rearing project which was being sponsored by the United Nations in 2006. I then saved money and bought my own cattle which then multiplied to 80.

“After that I sold some to start a butchery, a grocery shop and to buy two cars. I disagree with those who say there are no opportunities in Zimbabwe, if a refugee like me can generate wealth like this, how about the citizens of this country?”

Apart from Bizimungo, there are many other refugees who have made wealth in Zimbabwe with many of them now operating small businesses in Harare.

Sadly, there are some refugees who — although they appreciate the peace — are finding life in the camp unbearable.

“I arrived here with my husband and four children in 2004. We were coming from the DRC after rebels told my husband that our first born son must join them,” said middle-aged Peza Sepala who was working in a farming plot.

“I have to grow crops in this plot to supplement the food rations I receive every month because they are not enough for my six children.

“Life as a refugee is not easy at all my brother, the food is not enough. I also cannot afford to send all my children to school.” Sepala went on to narrate several other challenges her family is encountering at the camp but said she would never think of going back to DRC.

Most refugees are reliant on food assistance provided by UNHCR.

UNHCR monthly food rations consist of 10 kg maize meal per individual, 2kg of sugar beans, 2kg of corn-soya blend, 2kg of rice, 750ml vegetable oil, 500g of sugar and 250g of salt.

Mrs Rudo Manyara who was standing in for the camp administrator said although there are some challenges, the camp is functioning well.

“There are always bound to be a few problems in running a camp like this but we are doing well,” she said.

“The refugees are happy, they have almost everything needed to live a normal life.”

The glum-looking camp has a number of amenities including a clinic, more than 10 churches, sporting facilities, a primary and secondary school. There are also grocery shops, bars and bottle stores.

“The Department of Social Services is the custodian of this land (refugee camp), we administer the running of the camp with the help of UNCHR and other donors. There are about 8 000 refugees in the camp now and we receive about 150 asylum seekers every month.

“Space is not really a problem because we have about 300 hectares of land here, what is a challenge is the issue of food and sanitation,” Mrs Manyara explained further.

“When refugees come they report to the refugee councillor where they are given temporary asylum, waiting for interviews with Zimbabwe Refugee Committee. “After that we then do thorough verifications to see if the applicants qualify for refugee status. If they qualify we then allocate them land so that they can build their houses, we can only provide them with roofing material, they have to make their own bricks.”

According to the JAM report, “The asylum climate in Zimbabwe remains positive. Persons seeking asylum are afforded access to the country and the relevant procedures.”

Jam predicts that the total refugee population in Zimbabwe will increase to 12 000 by the end of 2015.

Returns through voluntary repatriation have remained insignificant as thousands of families have found a place to call home at TRC with some of them having married local people and mastered local languages.