| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
* Information in this report should be checked against source materials. Information is being reported as of the date of the source. This report is a compilation of information from a variety of sources, all of which are noted. The date of the source and information is also noted. Conflicting information may be present due to the rapidly changing events in Rwanda and neighboring countries.
Acronyms
DART - U.S. Government Disaster Assistance Response Team
BHR/OFDA - USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Response, Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance
DHA - U.N. Department of Humanitarian Affairs
UNREO - U.N. Rwanda Emergency Office
UNHCR - U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross
WFP - World Food Programme
RPA - Rwandan Patriotic Army
GOR - Government of Rwanda
UNAMIR - U.N. Assistance Mission to Rwanda
NGO - Non-Governmental Organization
FAR - Armed Forces of Rwanda (former Hutu-led GOR military)
REFUGEE NUMBERS AND FLOWS
WFP/Bukavu reports that UNHCR intends to move up to 30,000 people (1,000 refugees per day) from Bukavu to the Kamanyola refugee camp near Uvira. (Nairobi 16793, 9/16)
The British Army contingent of UNAMIR conducted a survey of displaced persons camps in Rwanda and estimated that there are over 2 million internally displaced persons located in approximately 100 camps throughout the country. Approximately 946,000 of these displaced persons are in the southwest of Rwanda. These figures represent a significant increase over UNHCR's total estimate of 1.5 million displaced persons in Rwanda reported on August 11. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report 9/16)
UNHCR registration staff are now in Goma to plan and coordinate the impending interagency registration operation. UNHCR will launch an information campaign in the near future as the first step in the registration process. The information campaign intends to make it clear to the refugee population that it is in their own best interest to participate. No date or time-frame for the registration has been determined at this time. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
REPATRIATION
UNAMIR reports that between 8/23 and 9/12, approximately 11,250 persons left Rwanda for Zaire, and 15,961 persons left Zaire to return to Rwanda. Since 9/9, 7,346 refugees have returned to Rwanda from Zaire. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
UNHCR repatriation officers in Gisenyi note that many of the refugees returning to Rwanda from Goma are settling in the Gisenyi/Ruhengeri region and are not continuing all the way to their homes for fear of possible retribution. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21) In one site, Cimbungo, six km. south of Cyangugu, Medecins Du Monde (MDM) has established a dispensary. This site is 3 km south of Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) Mereru camp which currently hosts about 6,300 people. (DART/Kigali Situation Report, 9/14)
While the GOR has designated target areas for returnees in Augera national park and the so-called "Zone Militaire," the absence of infrastructure in those regions has encouraged returners to take over recently vacated residences in other regions. (Geneva 7954, 9/15)
DART/Goma reports that an estimated 112,976 refugees have repatriated to Rwanda from Goma from end-July to 9/15. This figure represents the number of refugees that UNHCR has officially registered at two official crossing points along the Zaire/Rwanda border and at seven observation points in the Kibumba region. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/20)
DART/Goma reports that the current repatriation trend from Goma into Rwanda remains stable at about 1,500 crossings per day at the two official Goma border crossings, and 1,000 crossings per day from seven other locations along the northwest Zaire/Rwanda border. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/19)
UNAMIR intends to allocate additional vehicles for the transport of refugees returning to Rwanda. International Organization for Migration (IOM) plans to replace the trucks they have been using for the repatriation effort with buses, each with a 45 person capacity. UNREO reports that convoys are successfully transporting displaced persons in Cyangugu to Kigali every two days. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
CONTINGENCY PLANNING
SOUTHWEST
The humanitarian community in Cyangugu is working together on contingency plans in the event that large numbers of people decide to return from Zaire within a very short period of time. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.40, 9/19)
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
At present there are 27 unaccompanied children centers in Rwanda and 20 in Goma. (Nairobi 16762, 9/16)
SOUTHWEST
An NGO representative provided additional information regarding the reported seizing of NGO houses and warehouses by the RPA in the southwest. Apparently the NGO houses and warehouses under question are government property, and the RPA is trying to reclaim them to accommodate the RPA's increased presence in the prefecture. As per the outcome of the 9/14 meeting, the RPA will provide NGOs residing in these structures with definitive deadlines as to when they will need to vacate. (DART/Kigali Situation Report, 9/19)
RPA forces continue to move into the southwest, and there are now an estimated 2,400 RPA troops in this region. To date, there have been no reports from the UNREO field officers of tension in the area. Refugee flows from South Kivu, Zaire, have begun to increase again since the numbers of returnees briefly dropped when the RPA first moved into the area. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/16)
HEALTH
In Goma, the daily crude mortality rate continues to decline slowly with a rate of 2.4/10,000 per day for the week ending 9/11. The international "acceptable" standard for a refugee situation is 1.0/10,000 per day or less. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/19)
In Goma, the total number of reported deaths from health clinics for the week 8/29 - 9/4 was 485 (truck collection of bodies has higher), or a crude mortality rate (CMR) of 2.5/10,000 day for the week ending 9/4. This is down from 1,153 (clinic reported deaths), or a CMR of 4.2/10,000/day for the previous week. Bloody diarrhea continues to be the major killer with 204 deaths reported for the week ending 8/28 and 93 for the week ending 9/4. (Nairobi 16523, 9/13)
UNHCR is collecting morbidity data in the northeast region of Rwanda, and reports a decline in the incidence of bloody diarrhea and an increase in the incidence of non-bloody diarrhea, respiratory infections and malaria. (Nairobi 16969, 9/19)
The number of clinically reported measles cases is low in all North Kivu refugee camps, with measles morbidity rated in the under-five population at 0.31/10,000 in Katale, 0.28/10,000 in Kibumba and 0.84/10,000 Mugunga. (Nairobi 16523, 9/13)
The incidence rate of malaria appears to be increasing in all camps and in Goma town with a 27 percent rate of incidence in Kibumba and 21 percent in Mugunga.(Nairobi 16523, 9/13)
UNHCR, medical NGOs, and the Zairian Ministry of Health have established a technical coordination group to address the problem of HIV/AIDS in the camps. The group is examining the possibility of a widespread distribution of condoms to the camp populations. The distribution would particularly focus on FAR troops in Mugunga camp and the surrounding camps, as NGOs report that there is a significant amount of prostitution activity in all of the camps, including Mugunga. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
UNHCR and World Health Organization (WHO) will be conducting a vector control campaign commencing the week of 9/18 in the refugee camps and surrounding region. The campaign includes the systematic treatment of all refugees with an insecticide powder sprinkled on the hair and into the clothes. There will also be selective spraying of mosquito breeding sites in the camps and surrounding villages. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
Bioforce, who has been conducting medical laboratory testing in the region, will cease its laboratory operations by the end of September. In preparation for its imminent departure, Bioforce is now training a lab technician and supplying equipment to the Goma Ministry of Health. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
WATER
DART/Goma reports that the Swedes have installed the first water pump to take over the Portable Water Supply Systems (PWSS) operation. Their system is now purifying and pumping water out of the lake for distribution points in Goma. The second system, is also set-up, but the Swedes are still awaiting an adapter. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/20) This piece is expected to arrive on 9/20, and the Swedish water station should begin pumping by late that same afternoon. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
SANITATION
MSF/France has identified and established a controlled waste disposal site, located approximately seven kilometers from Goma. Trash and waste collection trucks are required to dump waste only at this site. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
UNHCR, MSF, International Rescue Committee (IRC), and local NGOs continue to unblock the canals and drainage system throughout the region as part of their Goma sanitation project. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
MSF, IRC, and local NGOs have recently begun constructing latrines in Goma town near schools, health centers and in areas with heavy refugee concentrations. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
RADIO BROADCASTS
A broadcast program will be launched to assist in reuniting unaccompanied children with their parents. A test will begin soon. (Geneva 7954, 9/15)
Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) has set up a radio station in Rwanda as a service to refugees. The station, Radio Gatashya, was instituted as a direct response to the violent propaganda emitted by Radio des Milles Collines which provoked the killing spree that evolved into genocide. Radio Gatashya went on air on 5 August 1994 in Goma, after overcoming a number of political and technical problems, such as a lack of electricity or access to the airwaves. Billed as "humanitarian radio," Radio Gatashya has a range that extends throughout the refugee camps in Goma and Bukavu. Radio Gatashya is sanctioned by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which has given over the basement of its offices for the use of the station. UNHCR has received requests from other humanitarian organizations to encourage the installment of similar radio stations elsewhere because radio is the most efficacious medium by which to transmit information in the area. (IFEX Communique (Committee to Protect Journalists), 9/20)
SECURITY
The RPA is currently conducting search operations in the displaced persons camps in Gikongoro and throughout Rwanda. An RPA Military Representative reported that these searches are necessary, as the RPA is aware that the former government deployed 100,000 arms (including automatic weapons) prior to being overthrown. The RPA claims that the purpose of these searches is to disarm the population. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/22)
The RPA reports that it is merely detaining, not trying, persons accused of participating in the massacres. The RPA intends to detain the accused in prison until the international community has established the international tribunal, which will take about one year to establish. Both RPA and ICRC representatives have confirmed that ICRC staff have been allowed to visit the prisoners. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/22)
UNHCR continues to work on the Goma evacuation plan for relief workers, but is still encountering difficulties collecting the necessary information such as staff names and addresses. Each NGO is responsible for coming up with their own security plan at present. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
UNHCR staff is designing a "camp police" unit in coordination with camp leaders and local Zairian officials. The police units will be comprised of groups of experienced Zairian soldiers, familiar to camp residents and NGO staffs, who will work under the jurisdiction of civilian authorities. The intent unit will operate in the camps with support and direction from local Zairian authorities. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
Two Zairian Tutsis were killed by FAR or Rwandan militia elements near the Mugunga camp on the morning of 9/14. (Nairobi 17238, 9/21)
UNAMIR reported that there is much tension and uncertainty among the displaced and resident population in Gikongoro due to recent security problems in this area. The first security incident involved the murder of a doctor in Gikongoro approximately two weeks ago, and the second involved the killing of three people in Gikongoro town on September 18. Rumors of Interahamwe and FAR presence spread quickly in the aftermath of both crimes. Neither crime appeared to be the result of banditry. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/21)
In the southwest, NGOs were asked not to carry passengers in their vehicles who are not their employees, especially random hitchhikers, as the RPA is concerned that militant individuals are receiving rides with NGOS and being waved through military checkpoints. (Nairobi 16793, 9/16)
An NGO representative noted that some RPA soldiers in Rwanda are harassing NGOS for rides and threatening them at gun point. (Nairobi 16793, 9/16)
The "No Guns" policy of ICRC, i.e. no one may carry weapons within an ICRC compound, is being violated by RPA forces. (Nairobi 16969, 9/19)
On 9/13, RPA forces stopped Samaritan's Purse personnel (all Americans and one Filipino) at a checkpoint located at a military installation near Ruhengeri, and held them for nine hours. In another incident, a Samaritan's Purse employee driving a UNHCR water tanker has rear-ended by an RPA vehicle. The RPA vehicle overtook the NGO truck, stopped it, pulled the employee out of the truck, beat him, and took him to prison. (Nairobi 16793, 9/16)
LANDMINES
An increase in mine injuries in Ruhengeri has caused the Canadian military to respond with a public information effort to raise the local population's awareness of the presence of the mines. GOAL has reported from the Byumba Prefecture that many roads remain unsafe for travel because of the large number of mines and booby traps in the area. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.40, 9/19)
UNAMIR reports that a massive clean-up effort will be required to eliminate mines from northeast Ruhengeri, where at least one mine injury per day is being reported. UNAMIR mine sweeping forces are training RPA units in mine clearing, but the units are poorly equipped and the clean-up effort could be a lengthy process. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/16)
Posters are being designed by UNHCR, with assistance from UNAMIR, to warn returnees and local populations of the danger posed by mines in the northeast of Ruhengeri. (Nairobi 16969, 9/19)
UNREO reports that there are approximately 50,000 anti-personnel mines in Rwanda, which could pose serious threats to the population. One NGO working in the Kigali medical hospital treated 40 patients for mine injuries in a three week period. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
LOGISTICS
As of October 1, UNAMIR aircraft will only transport U.N. personnel into Rwanda, but will continue to carry urgent NGO cargo. This measure is reportedly being taken to encourage the regeneration of commercial air services in the region. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/19)
The Rwanda immigration office is issuing visas for entry into the country. A three month visa is normally issued, but a six month visa can also be obtained with proper justification and documentation at the cost of approximately $20. (Nairobi 16793, 9/16)
The New Zealand Air Force is flying five flights a day from Kigali to Bukavu and reports that space is available for materials and supplies that need to be transported. (Nairobi 16762, 9/16)
DART/Goma reports that the airport in Bukavu remains open, and there are no indications that it will be closed in the near future despite earlier reports that it would be closed for two months for repairs. (Nairobi 16762, 9/16)
OPERATION SUPPORT HOPE
The U.S. Air Force continues to reduce the backlog of commodities in Entebbe. As of 9/15, only 80 MT of commodities remained to be airlifted from Entebbe into the region. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
As of 9/15, there were 563 U.S. personnel stationed in the region, compared to 679 U.S. personnel in the region on 9/1. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS/COORDINATION
The U.N. Under Secretary for Peace-Keeping Operations reported that there are now over 4,000 UNAMIR troops in the region, and this figure is expected to reach UNAMIR's ceiling of 5,500 troops within one month. Tunisian and Indian contingents are expected to arrive in the region shortly. The time-frame for UNAMIR operations is one year, at which time the U.N. Security Council will review the situation. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/21)
UNHCR has approved a budget of $21 million (August to December 1994) for its program to provide assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees returning to their homes in Rwanda. UNHCR will be working with several operational partners throughout Rwanda to provide transportation for returnees, distribute relief supplies at waystations, implement a project of assistance for returnees, and provide health services to returning populations. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/22)
Non-governmental organizations currently registered with the NGO Unit number 100. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.40, 9/19)
UNAMIR noted that the International Medical Corps is the umbrella organization coordinating NGO projects and UNAMIR medical activities in the Kibungo prefecture. (Nairobi 16793, 9/16)
The Director of UNHCR's Africa Bureau, Kamel Morjane, announced that UNHCR and the Organization for African Unity (OAU) had organized an informal meeting of countries interested in the Rwanda/Burundi crisis during a 9/8-9/11 Addis Ababa symposium. Participants in the meeting reached two key decisions: a) the establishment of a Joint Commission on repatriation and to focus on two objectives: supervision of the tripartite UNHCR/Rwanda/Zaire agreement to develop plan of action to accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction. The first meeting of the Commission is set for 10/2 in Geneva; b) to move forward with the organization of an OAU/UNHCR high level regional conference. Target date is late October/early November. (Geneva 7954, 9/15)
SITUATION INSIDE RWANDA
GENERAL
The burgomaster conducted a census of the population in the commune of Kayonza in southeast Rwanda. The census of the population before April was 35,000 people. The recent census taken (9/12) by the burgomaster registered 21,382 people. The normal family before April consisted of five to six members. The current average per family is three. (DART/Kigali Situation Report, 9/14)
The Ministry of Rehabilitation (MOR) announced that the customs laws that existed prior to the war will remain in effect, and that no taxes will be imposed on relief items. A $20 visa fee is imposed at the airport for travellers, although exceptions are made for persons with diplomatic passports. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
Many Rwandan primary and secondary schools are scheduled to commence with classes in the next week. Byumba Prefecture schools will begin operating on 17 September. An estimated 4,600 children have been registered and 112 teachers have been identified. Primary and secondary schools in Ruhengeri are due to open on Monday, 19 September and schools in Gikongoro are scheduled to commence on 27 September. Education authorities in the various prefectures are asking for assistance in the rehabilitation of schools and procurement of educational materials. Many of the teachers currently receiving training are working without pay but are committed to the reintroduction of the education system. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.40, 9/19)
Provision and coverage of health care in the northwest is more than adequate at present. The overall medical coverage supplied by fixed health facilities has continued to increase: MSF/Holland has 11 clinics, Save the Children Federation (SCF) has 10 health clinics and Action Internationale Contra La Faim (AICF) is operating a feeding center in Ruhengeri. The main health problems are malaria and dysentery. There is a lack of skilled local medical staff for the reopening of health facilities. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.40, 9/19)
A veterinarian from Nord/Sud conducted a week-long assessment in northeast Rwanda and reported that an estimated 130,000 cattle are in and around the Akagera National Park (located in northeast and eastern Rwanda), the majority of which have migrated from Uganda. A team of veterinarians is now conducting tests to verify if the majority of cattle in this region are infected with hoof and mouth disease and pulmonary infections. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/19)
An estimated 50,000 cattle are gradually moving up from Burundi and Tanzania into Rwanda. There is now concern that these herds from the south will become infected with the disease, and eventually spread the disease to countries south and east of Burundi. (Nairobi 16968, 9/19)
KIGALI
Approximately 70 percent of Kigali has water every day, and 90 percent of Kigali gets water every other day. Electrogaz continues to repair the water system and leakage problems. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/22)
Central power was restored in Kigali on September 16. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/19)
AGRICULTURE
According to the RPA Minister of Agriculture, the RPA is seized with the need to resettle people on their land and to provide them with adequate agricultural inputs necessary to resume productivity. The Minister also stated that the RPA is currently unable to provide the guidance and information to NGOs that is necessary to facilitate NGO agricultural rehabilitation efforts, and therefore urged NGOs to share information with the Ministry on their operations and perceived gaps in the distribution of seeds/tools. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/21)
ICRC's seed distribution in the northwest is completed. ICRC is now distributing seeds in the southeast, but expressed concern that the agricultural needs in the southwest, especially along Lake Kivu, are not being met. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/21)
INFRASTRUCTURE
ICRC is repairing Gisenyi's electricity grid so that it is fully operational. Electricity is available in most areas of the city, but ICRC continues to make efforts to provide electricity for street lights and private residences. ICRC continues to work on establishing a 24-hour water supply to Gisenyi and intends to have the system operational by 9/17. Tests indicate that the water quality in the city is good. (Nairobi 16969, 9/20)
Summary of United States Government (USG)
Assistance to Rwanda Since April 1994
Agency U.S. $
USAID
BHR/OFDA 39,864,400
BHR/FFP 67,637,900
AFR/EA 1,000,000
Total 108,502,300
State
PRM 37,857,571
DOD
OSD/HRA 26,946,572
Other *
Total 26,946,572
Grand Total $173,306,443
* "DOD Other" includes contributions to UNHCR's service packages, value unreported.
Acronym List:
USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
BHR - Bureau for Humanitarian Response
OFDA - Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
FFP - Office of Food for Peace
AFR/EA - Bureau for Africa, East African Affairs
State - U.S. Department of State
PRM - Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration,
DOD - U.S. Department of Defense
OSD -Office of the Secretary of Defense,
HRA - Humanitarian and Refugee Affairs
For a breakdown of USG Assistance, contact the Rwanda Information Center
Fax: (202) 647-5269 INTERNET E-mail: ric@usaid.gov