Refugees from DR Congo

The government plans to expand Nyabuheke refugee camp in Gatsibo� District, Eastern Province, to accommodate more Congolese who flee to Rwanda the Ministry of Disaster and Refugee affairs has confirmed.

Apparently Nkamira transit centre has over 8,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and more continue to flee, meaning that they might fail to find where to stay unless more space is secured.

Refugees are mostly fleeing violence targeting Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese. They enter through La Corniche border post in Gisenyi Sector, Rubavu District in Western Province.

�We are examining 23 hectors where we want to relocate some of the refuges at Nkamira transit centre and those who continue to cross,� Fredrick Ntawukuriryayo, the Communications Officer at the ministry revealed to Sunday Times.

He refuted allegations in some media that had reported that all refugee camps in the country are at full capacity adding that the government would continue strategizing for the wellbeing of refugees in the country.

The refugees are being provided with food and shelter by the government in collaboration with United Nations High Commission for Refugees, among other agencies.

Rwanda hosts over 70,000 Congolese refugees. They are in various camps, including Gihembe in Gicumbi district, Kiziba in Karongi district, Nyabiheke in Gatsibo and Kigeme in Nyamagabe district. Others are in Kigali City and Nkamira Transit Centre in the Western Province.

Recently the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said there was need for more support for Congolese refugees living in camps in Rwanda.

UNHCR Country Representative, Warsame Neimar, who was speaking at Nkamira Transit Centre, said they needed more than $46m (about Rwf29b) to facilitate the refugees.

Source: The Sunday Times