Africa-Press – Eswatini. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has donated relief items worth over E800 000 to the National Disaster Management Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs to support refugees at Mpaka Refugee Camp, helping ease pressure on limited resources.
The donation includes essential household items such as pots, sleeping mats, tents, buckets and kitchen sets, aimed at improving living conditions for displaced persons. It comes at a time when the country is experiencing increased demand for refugee support services, placing strain on available facilities and infrastructure.
Speaking during the handover, UNHCR Senior Protection Officer Jesus Perez Sanchez described the donation as both a practical intervention and a gesture of appreciation for the country’s continued hospitality.
“Eswatini is currently home to around 3 000 refugees and asylum seekers from different nationalities, many of whom have fled conflict and instability in their home countries. While UNHCR supports governments in these efforts, it is equally important to acknowledge the role of host communities,” he said.
He noted that growing pressure on facilities such as Mpaka Refugee Camp highlights the need for strong partnerships in responding to humanitarian challenges. Commissioner for Refugees in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Zanele Mlambo, welcomed the support, describing it as timely and impactful.
“We are grateful to UNHCR for this support. It strengthens our ability to respond to the needs of refugees arriving in the country and recognises the commitment of government and communities in providing safe and dignified shelter,” she said.
Pressure on the country’s refugee system has also been evident at Malindza, where a Ministry of Home Affairs report presented during the Senate Portfolio Committee Budget Debate revealed that about 900 refugees are currently being accommodated at a facility designed for 250.
Sanchez also recalled last year’s influx of displaced persons following post election tensions in Mozambique, when some individuals were targeted and forced to flee. “The Government responded swiftly and decisively, ensuring the situation was handled appropriately and in a dignified manner,” he said.
At the time, about 1 000 refugees crossed into the country and were temporarily accommodated at Malindza, which was already operating beyond its capacity. Despite these challenges, coordinated efforts by the National Disaster Management Agency and the Ministry of Home Affairs ensured that those affected were received and sheltered humanely.
The latest donation is expected to improve conditions at Mpaka Refugee Camp while strengthening preparedness for future arrivals, reflecting continued collaboration between government and international partners in responding to humanitarian needs.
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