Refugee support to continue amid aid cut

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

The Government of Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its commitment to be inclusive of Persons of Concern as it seeks to continue supporting refugees and asylum seekers despite reductions in international aid.

The assurance was delivered during the World Refugee Day commemorations held at Tongogara Refugee Settlement on 20 June 2025, under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees.”

In a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Edgar Moyo, Permanent Secretary Simon Masanga acknowledged the challenges posed by declining global funding for humanitarian projects.

“Fellow members of humanity, my ministry is aware of the current global funding situation and its direct impact on humanitarian projects, which include support to refugees. To ensure continued access to social protection services by all, we are currently reviewing the national social protection strategy with the aim of making it as inclusive as possible, covering all sectors including refugee protection.

He highlighted the government’s efforts to promote self-reliance among refugees following the transition of Tongogara from a camp to a settlement in 2023.

“Following the transitional declaration of Tongogara from Camp to Settlement in 2023, my government continues to create sustainable livelihood patterns that are less reliant on donor funding but sustained through predictable rural based economic patters that utilizes local resources and capacities.

“I therefore wish to urge all refugees to embrace the transition and be willing partners in developmental initiatives that will be launched in the settlement and those that are already operational,” he said.

Encouraging refugees to actively participate in development initiatives, he added, “I urge all residents of Tongogara to embrace this transition and collaborate in ongoing and future developmental projects within the settlement.”

Johanne Mhlanga, the Tongogara Refugee Settlement administrator, noted that the 870-hectare settlement hosts a diverse population of 16,373 biometrically registered refugees and asylum seekers from regions including the Great Lakes, the Horn of Africa, West Africa, and Southern Africa.

The event underscored Zimbabwe’s dedication to refugee welfare while adapting to evolving economic realities.

According to Tongagara Refugee Settlement administrator, Johanne Mhlanga, the 870ha settlement “is a multicultural, multilingual and mosaic institution with refugees and asylum seekers from the Great Lakes, Horn of Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa and beyond. The institution is home to 16,373 refugees and asylum seekers who are biometrical registered.”