AN online facility established to increase refugees and asylum seekers’ accessibility of services and their families at Tongogara Refugee Settlement in Manicaland province is proving popular among scores of migrants within the camp.
The facility, which was established by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), also offers refugees’ services aimed at helping them re-establish and maintain contact with their relatives via internet sessions.
It is in addition to other facilities known as RedSafe kiosks established by the ZRCS in Bulawayo, Harare and Beitbridge with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under the restoring family links component.
A ZRCS volunteer in charge of the internet facility Mizake Donatien, said they had received scores of people on a daily basis seeking various services.
“The facility is popular among refugees and has turned to be a solace for many, who are now able to reconnect with their loved ones from different parts of the country,” he said.
“Averagely per day, we serve 300 people for WiFi connections and on average, we allow five calls. For mobile phone charging, we normally have 20 charging sessions per day.”
The Burundian national also assists in translation since he is conversant with a number of languages spoken in eastern and southern Africa.
ZRCS secretary-general Elias Hwenga said his organisation was trying everything possible to help refugees link with their loved ones.
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“Today’s humanitarian challenges are vast and intricate, hence the need for continuous and diverse engagements with vulnerable communities, which remain at the heart of our work, as we navigate the ever-changing humanitarian landscape together,” he said.
“Our permanent presence within Tongogara Refugee Settlement and proximity to the people, attests to our commitment as the Red Cross to be everywhere for everyone.
“Through the restoring family links programme, we aim to prevent the separation of families, restore and maintain family links and clarify the fate of persons reported missing.”
The Family Links Network is composed of 192 national societies, ICRC delegations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
