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Maratane Refugee Centre: Government and partners seek funds to rebuild 241 houses
2:06 CAT | 08 Aug 2022
Photo: Notícias
The Mozambican government and partners are intensifying efforts to mobilise funds for the reconstruction of the 241 houses damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Gombe in Maratane Refugee Centre, Nampula district.
In addition to houses, the storm also destroyed the local health centre and smallholdings. While the health centre has already been rebuilt, tasks ahead include the rebuilding of the houses and obtaining seeds to replace the devastated crops.
Interim centre administrator Anabela Mariza Varela said that negotiations around the availability of funds are currently taking place with the main cooperation partners.
A total of 9,143 refugees live in the Maratane Refugee Centre, which welcomes refugees from the Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Angola, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Their main means of livelihood is farming – in particular, growing vegetables and rearing chickens. Residents’ relations with Mozambicans are described by Administrator Varela as healthy, with even business and farming partnerships flourishing.
The centre administration is preparing a goat breeding project, which it is hoped will become among the biggest in the province.
Refugees speaking to the press expressed satisfaction and gratitude for the reception offered by the Mozambican government, but asked for more support regarding opportunities leading to sustainable livelihoods in the longer term.
Jorge Matagulo and Mariza Magonzi, both of Burundian nationality, have lived in the centre for nine years, but say it has not been easy to survive on small businesses alone.
In addition to the government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Program (WFP) and KULIMA are the main partners which support and implement centre projects.
Source: Notícias
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