Tukana County Deputy Governor John Erus says there a need to safeguard successes realised from implementing refugee integration programmes over the years, lauding UNHCR and development partners for their support.

Refugee integration programme allows the aliens to engage economic and other activities as means to reliving financial and psychological burdens. The programme has been praises being instrumental in easing tensions between the foreigners and local communities.

Dr Erus made the remarks when he hosted a UNHCR team led by the Country Representative Fatima Mohammed-Cole at the County headquarters on Thursday.

The meeting discussed the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement against the backdrop of instruments for responding to host and refugee issues through the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP) Shirika Plan and County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

Mohammed-Cole re-affirmed the agency’s commitment to building a stronger partnership with the county government and all development partners implementing interventions for host and refugee populations.

Chief Officers Janerose Tioko (partnerships), Samwel Ekaale (economic planning) and Peter Ekaru (fisheries), Raphael Logum (director, partnerships and resource mobilisation), among other senior county officials were present.

Head of UNHCR Kakuma Sub-Office Sateesh Nanduri was also present.