RCK Activities

WORLD REFUGEE DAY - 20TH JUNE 2006

A Sudanese cultural dance on World Refugee Day

Every year on 20th, June 2006, the world takes a moment to observe the World Refugee Day, which is a special occasion set aside to reflect on all plight, welfare and future of refugees, and to take stock of progress made in addressing their situation as displaced persons across the world. In line with this year's theme of Hope and in joining the rest of the world to celebrate the World Refugee Day, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) in collaboration with the African Refugee Talents (ART) International brought together refugees and Kenyans in activities that expressed hope for peace, for a better world and for good neighbourliness. On Saturday 17th June 2006, RCK, ART, and the Local Administration of Eastleigh joined efforts with refugees who took the lead in an exercise to clean a section of Eastleigh.

The Happy faces, full of hope on World Refugee Day

The aims of this activity were to improve the health and sanitation, enhance the appearance of the area and protect the environment. In a show of solidarity with Kenyans working for a clean environment, the volunteers united under the theme, Refugees for a Clean Environment, to spruce up Eastleigh 2nd Street and to demonstrate their collective concern and appreciation for a clean environment. On 20th June, an Interfaith Cultural Commemoration was held at the St Teresa's Eastleigh Social Hall. The event was a showcase of the colourful variety of refugee cultures, artwork and performances, while underscoring their ardent hope for peace, for a better life and for protection.

WRD - Assistant Minister, Danson Mungatana and RCK Officers appreciate the cultural display by Refugee Communities

In addition to the cultural dances and art expressions, the event was flavoured with traditional cuisine from some of the refugee communities. This event marked the climax of the World Refugee Day celebrations, and gave refugees a chance to celebrate their individuality, their communities, their art and talents, their cultures, while focusing on interfaith prayers to express hope for peace. The occasion was graced by Hon. Danson Mungatana, the Assistant for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Mr. Peter Kusimba, the Head of the National Refugee Secretariat.

The colourful ceremony was attended by approximately 800 refugees from all cultures. RCK's Information/Research Officer, Ms Emily Mutai welcomed the refugees and the guests reminding them that the day was one put aside to reflect on the plight of refugees and recognise their immense strength and sense of hope that has seen them survive in exile for several years. She reiterated that it was time that refugees were recognised as resources rather than burdens to host countries. Emphasising that the best way to do this was for countries hosting refugees to put in place legal and administrative frameworks for the management of refugee.

WRD - Refugees get a taste of their neighbours cultural foods

She urged the Chief Guest to re-introduce the proposed Refugees Bill to Parliament as our neighbours; Uganda and Tanzania had both domesticated the International Conventions on the Rights of Refugees. Mr. Peter Kusimba, head of the National Refugee Secretariat the need for the African Continent to take care of their own and to give the Refugees hope to live a normal life which they are entitled to like all human beings. He also advocated for the resettlement of the refugees in other African countries who were willing to integrate them.

This he stressed was a much better option than encampment in protracted refugee situations. In his speech, the Chief Guest, Hon. Danson Mungatana, also reiterated the importance of the world refugee day as a good reminder to all that the rights of refugees should be respected like that of any other citizen. He also stated that refugees should not be forcefully taken back to their countries, that repatriation must remain voluntary. Hon. Mungatana emphasised the Government's position regarding those responsible for destabilizing their home countries. That Kenya would not give safe haven to the warlords and other leaders from war torn countries who continue to abuse human rights.

WRD- A Sudanese Dance

He also explained that the Refugee Bill had been published in preparation for introduction to Parliament and that currently the government was registering Refugees with an objective of giving them Alien Identity Cards. He appealed to State Agents especially the police and Immigration Officers to handle the Refugees with care and respect. He finished his address by appealing to Refugees to conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate to the laws of the country. He then thanked the Non Governmental Organizations for making the lives of Refugees dignified before they go back to their homes. A refugee representative, Mr. Hangassa Ahmed of Ethiopian origin spoke on behalf of his fellow refugees. He urged refugees not to sit and idle around throwing away their time, talent and potential as they could be resourceful and beneficial to the society by contributing their energy, talent and expertise for social and economic development globally.

He then listed the complex problems that refugees face in Kenya, such as:

• Insecurity and police harassment
• Delay of Refugee Status Determination process
• Limited Access to education, medical and job opportunities in host Countries
• Sexual exploitation, abuse and rape cases
• Inadequate support to refugee women and children
• Inadequate Livelihood opportunities
• No clear policies in host countries defining the needs of refugee youth.

He requested the government and non governmental organizations look into the issues in order to alleviate their suffering and to make their lives better and more fulfilling. Finally he thanked RCK and ART for organizing the special occasion in which they were able to come together and celebrate their cultures. The ceremony ended with prayers and a vote of thanks by RCK's Legal/Referral Officer, Eunice Ndong'a. Ms. Ndonga then led the refugees in requesting the friendship of Hon. Mungatana and Mr. Kusimba, through giving of honorary stools. Both guests accepted the gesture.

The Guests were then taken through the display of different cultures of foods and artefacts. The guests and refugees then shared in the different types of food displayed such as 'sombe' a mixture of cassava and green leaves, a delicacy from the Great Lakes, they also served rice, fish and meat stew. The Ethiopian community served 'injera', 'kitfo' and 'Keeiwot. In addition they made their traditional coffee in a traditional setting. The Somali Community presented Pasta and special salads enjoyed by their community and which they say are a legacy of Italian colonisation.