UNHCR urged to allow refugees to engage in commercial farming

Denu, June 21, GNA - The United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has been urged to introduce refugees to farming to make extra funds to supplement their rations.

Mr Henry Ametepe, Volta Regional Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), made the suggestion at a function to mark World Refugee Day at weekend at Denu. He said the UNHCR could arrange for the refugee hosting country to supply seedlings and land space for the farming. Mr Ametepe said the inability of the international community to stand up to corrupt and dictatorial regimes had fuelled conflicts leading to people fleeing their countries as refugees. "With the world community becoming a global village no country should be allowed to do things the wrong way," he said. Mr Ametepe observed that people became refugees through no fault of theirs and called for protection and support for them saying "anyone could become a refugee any day".

He said 180 households of Togolese refugees existed in five districts of the Volta Region in Ghana. Mr Ban Ki Moon, UN Secretary-General in a message noted that millions particularly from the developing world had been uprooted by violence, persecution and conflict, making them vulnerable to the harsh fallout of the unfolding global economic downturn. The world, the UN Secretary-General said, was far from meeting the basic needs of refugees, including shelter, education, food, water, protection from violence and abuse, resulting in high malnutrition and mortality among them.

He said resources were needed to build schools and provide safe places to keep girls from violence and abuse. Mr Ki Moon called for the world's solidarity to support every aspect of refugees needs.

The day was observed under the theme: "Real People, Real Needs" to evaluate how much refugees had lost and how much every one must do to help them.

Mr Anthonio Gute rres, UNHCR High Commissioner in a message said surveys had revealed that, several refugees continued to suffer deprivation, violence and abuse, in Cameroon, Ecuador, Thailand and Georgia.

He observed that many refugees were often unaware of their rights and places to seek asylum. Mr Guterres called for a stop to attacks on humanitarian staff providing support to refugees around the world.