UNHCR ISSUES NEW APPEAL FOR RWANDA AND BURUNDI REFUGEES
Press Release
REF/1129
UNHCR ISSUES NEW APPEAL FOR RWANDA AND BURUNDI REFUGEES
19951222 The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a $288 million appeal today to cover the cost of its 1996 operations for Rwandan and Burundi refugees and returnees in the Great Lakes region of Africa.The new appeal places special emphasis on voluntary repatriation to Rwanda in 1996, and plans for a shift in UNHCR's programmes from care and maintenance of refugees in countries of asylum to return and reintegration in the country of origin.
It, however, notes that a successful repatriation will depend on the willingness of the Governments involved to fulfil previous commitments made at the Nairobi Summit, the Bujumbura Conference and in meetings of the Tripartite Commission on Voluntary Repatriation. At a meeting of the Tripartite Commission in Geneva on Wednesday, 20 December, the UNHCR expressed concern at the lack of significant progress towards creating some of the necessary conditions for a voluntary return.
While focusing on plans for repatriation, the appeal also notes that an estimated 1.7 million refugees still remain in camps in Burundi, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zaire, and will continue to need assistance prior to repatriation. It says as many as 820,000 Rwandan refugees could repatriate during 1996, leaving a residual caseload of some 900,000 by the end of the year.
Citing security conditions, the appeal notes it is premature to promote voluntary repatriation to Burundi. Although several hundred Burundi refugees have decided to go home, considerable numbers of new refugees from Burundi continue to arrive in Uvira, Zaire.
Plans for assistance to returnees in Rwanda and Burundi include the provision of reception facilities and transport in both countries. Upon arrival, the returnees will receive a repatriation package that will include non-food items such as blankets and roofing materials, a two-month supply of basic foodstuffs from the World Food Programme, seeds and tools.
- 2 - Press Release REF/1129 22 December 1995
Shelter for returning refugees poses a major problem. Of particular concern in Rwanda is the shortage of land and housing for an estimated 800,000 "old caseload" refugees who fled in successive movements between 1959 and 1990, in addition to those who left in 1994. The UNHCR plans to provide substantial assistance in villages where returnees are expected to reintegrate.
The UNHCR, which currently has 44 international staff in eight offices in Rwanda, will gradually build up its monitoring capacity so it can cover the arrival and integration of returnees.
By sector, the 1996 budget of $288,372,900 includes: programme delivery costs, $52.7 million; transport and logistics, $43.8 million; domestic relief items, $29.9 million; shelter and infrastructure, $28.6 million; health and nutrition, $28.3 million; water supply, $25 million; agency operational support, $18.4 million; protection and legal services, $16.7 million; community services, $10.4 million; the UNHCR administrative support costs, $9.7 million; education, $8.5 million; sanitation, $8.5 million; food, $4.6 million; forestry, $4.1 million; crop production, $2.5 million; livestock and veterinary services, $1.4 million.
The appeal also calls for some urgent measures to address the serious economic and environmental problems resulting from large numbers of refugees in the tree asylum countries. Reforestation projects will be undertaken and firewood -- at a cost of $15-$18 per person a year -- will be provided only from plantations where harvesting can be controlled.
The UNHCR will continue its support of the 1,500 member Zairian Camp Security Operation in 1996. The contingent of elite Zairian troops and civilian liaison officers from some European and African countries has been effective in maintaining security in the refugee camps and immediate surroundings.
* *** *