UNHCR STAFF DONATES TO UTH

UNHCR staff in Lusaka today donated an assortment

of food and non food items to patients at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Children's Cancer Ward as part of the commemoration of

Nelson Mandela International Day which falls on July 18.

The UNHCR staff, dressed in the agency's regalia, led by their Representative in Zambia, Joyce Mends-Cole, donated various items such as food, drinks, milk, mealie-meal and detergents.

Mends-Cole commended her staff for personally making financial contributions to the purchase of the food and non food items for the benefit of the patients.

"On this very important day, when we commemorate the Nelson Mandela International Day, we thought it important to contribute to this institution - UTH - which provides medical services to both the host community and the refugees." She said. "UNHCR is mandated to assist refugees, but we thought it important to give back to the Zambian community for the exemplary hospitality accorded refugees over the years."

UTH has over the years worked with UNHCR over refugee patients referred to the institution from the settlements.

UTH’s orthopaedic unit has been instrumental in fitting or aligning prosthesis (artificial legs) for refugee amputees.

"We would like to thank the UTH management for their continued co-operation with my office and the refugees. Issues of children are very close to our hearts - whether refugee or Zambian - that's why we chose to make this small donation to this ward," said Mends-Cole.