Refugees who had lost there dignity now have a reason to smile after East Africa's leading health store-Healthy U- donated Sh2.5 million that will go towards alleviating their suffering.
The chain of health food stores partnered with UNHCR to support its operations and provide assistance to the agencies LuQu LuQu Tribe.
Healthy U's Managing Director Avni Rach said the partnership will strive to raise funds, garner support and re-shape the common misconception of the African refugee by inviting individuals to take ownership of the refugee cause in Africa, in accordance with African philosophy of “Ujamaa” – collective caring, sharing and looking after one another.
"In the face of increased forced displacement, we are joining UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu tribe, bearing in mind our responsibility of collective caring, embedded in African culture. Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of looking after our kin and kind within the refugee community as part of the wider social fabric of our own communities, and families. Healthy U believes health and wellness include caring for one another," said Rach.
The LuQuLuQu Tribe is a social movement that was created in November 2017 by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to transform public perceptions of the African refugee.
In a statement, UNHCR Representative in Kenya Raouf Mazou said they are struggling to keep pace with the growing needs in humanitarian emergencies.
He commended Healthy U for taking the initiative to support their operations and urged the Private sector to come on board in not only raising funds but also in helping raise the region’s collective consciousness in addressing forced displacement.
Forced displacement in Africa has reached a critical stage with sub-Saharan Africa hosting more than 30 per cent of the 65.6 million people in the world who have had to flee their homes and find safety in neighbouring countries.