| 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 CARE - Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross IOM - International Operation for Migration 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) FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization WFP - World Food Programme
REFUGEE NUMBERS AND FLOWS
UNAMIR reports that in the last two days there has been a notable outflow of persons from camps in the South West of Rwanda into Burundi. The outflow is broken down as follows: 3,000 from Rurumba, 700 from Rwamiko and 1,000 from Kibeho. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
UNREO has produced a refugee/displaced persons list that consolidates information from camps in Rwanda, Zaire, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Copies of the report are available at UNREO; data will be incorporated into an UNREO database. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
The UNREO field office in Cyangugu in southwest Rwanda reports that the number of people returning from Zaire to Rwanda has dropped significantly, with only 232 returnees registered on 9/24. In contrast, the number of people leaving Rwanda and entering Zaire has increased in recent days, reaching an outflow of 229 persons from Rwanda on 9/24. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/28)
UNHCR reports a renewed movement of Rwandan refugees into Goma, Zaire. Approximately 1,469 refugees returned to Rwanda from Goma at four official UNHCR crossing points between 9/17-9/21, while 475 Rwandans were recorded entering Goma as refugees during this same time period. An additional 400 Rwandans reportedly fled to the Goma region between 9/21-9/23. (Nairobi, 9/28)
Registered refugees in organized camp sites in Bukavu in Zaire number 230,314. Current estimates of refugees remaining in Bukavu town are approximately 40-45,000. (WFP Report no. 37, 9/23)
The UNHCR plan to transfer 50,000 refugees from Bukavu further south to Kamanyola in Zaire is being revised for security reasons. About 15,000 refugees have moved from Bukavu into this region. (WFP Report no. 37, 9/23)
The Uvira refugee population in Zaire declined from 284,000 to 178,000 in only one week, a decline of 38 percent. This change reflects the departure of mostly Rwandan refugees who have been temporarily hired by Zairians to work during the planting season. (Geneva 8158, 9/22)
UNHCR estimates that over 100,000 refugees with 130,000 head of cattle have returned from Uganda. These refugees belong to the "old" caseload, from previous migrations in the 1970s and 1980s. (Geneva 8158, 9/22)
An estimated 80,000 refugees have returned from Burundi. However, some of these appear to be going into Tanzania. The Ngara camp in Tanzania reports an inflow of 200 refugees per day from Burundi. (Geneva 8158, 9/22)
UNCHR estimates that people continue to cross into Tanzania from Rwanda at a rate of approximately 1,000 per day. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
In Tanzania, there were 100 daily arrivals into Lukole and 454 into Kibondo Kanembwa camp between 9/12-9/17. (WFP Report no. 37, 9/23)
REPATRIATION
According to UNHCR, over 200,000 Rwandan post-April 6 refugees have repatriated back to Rwanda. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
The returnee programme for internally displaced persons, "Operation Homeward," coordinated by UNAMIR has been suspended after only 27 people volunteered for transport back to their home areas on 9/27. The plan had hoped to use up to 100 trucks to return up to 4,000 people per day. It would seem that returnee confidence has dropped, perhaps due to lack of seeds/tools in returnee areas or possibly because of recent reports about alleged reprisal killings of returnees. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.44, 9/28)
The number of Rwandan refugees returning from Goma in Zaire through Gisenyi in Rwanda has dropped from 1,600 per day to 900 per day. This decrease is attributed to the harassment of returnees by Zairois soldiers on the Zaire side of the border, and the RPA's screening of the refugees on the Rwandan side. While UNHCR is not encouraging Rwandan refugees in Zaire to return to Rwanda and is providing minimal assistance for transport to the Rwandan/Zaire border, UNHCR continues to provide transport and food and non-food relief commodities to refugees once they have returned to Rwanda. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
CARE reports that the number of returnees using their waystations in the north west have remained constant at an average of 1,800 per day for the past three weeks. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
UNAMIR reported that as of the end of this week a total of 35,000 displaced persons have been transported by UNAMIR, UNHCR/IOM and other organizations since returnee operations started. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
UNREO/Cyangugu in southwest Rwanda reports that convoys for returnees will now be operating on a daily basis to transport people returning from Bukavu in Zaire to Kigali via Butare in Rwanda. The number of returnees has reportedly declined since the RPA became more visible at the border entry points. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
A UNHCR reception center has been established in Butare in southwest Rwanda. Seeds, ten-day rations, and non-food relief items are being distributed to people returning to their homes. This center is currently providing assistance to 500 returnees per day. (Nairobi 17461, 9/26)
UNHCR has approved a budget of $21 million (8/94 to 12/94) for its program to provide assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees returning to their homes in Rwanda. UNHCR is providing equipment, materials, and financial support to operational partners to assist in UNHCR's repatriation efforts. UNHCR's operational partners for its repatriation program include:
- IOM for the transportation of returnees; - British direct AID for vehicle fleet maintenance; - CARE and CONCERN for the management and distribution of assistance to returnees at waystations; - the Austrian relief program for the implementation of a project of assistance to returnees in northeastern Rwanda and Ruhengeri; - Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) for the distribution of relief commodities in the northeast; - and the Norwegian People's AID for the provision of health facilities in Byumba and Cyangugu prefectures in southeast Rwanda. (Nairobi 17461, 9/26)
UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
UNICEF has announced it will be setting up a country-wide database, which should facilitate tracing of children and parents. They will produce a book with photos and use TV and radio to promote reunification of children with families, or placement with foster families. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
HEALTH
The mortality rates in Rwandan refugee camps in Burundi camps are averaged at 1.3-10,000 per day. The highest rate is in Majuri camp in Burundi with 2.6-10,000 global mortality and 7.9-10,000 infant mortality. The cause is seen as inferior sanitation structures which have led to increase in predominance of dysentery. Meningitis is also on the rise among refugee population. A vaccination campaign is in process. (WFP Report no. 37, 9/23)
The general nutritional condition of refugees in the Bukavu camps in Zaire is good, except for the specific pockets of malnutrition due to addition of refugees from Bukavu city, who are arriving in a poor state. (WFP Report no. 37, 9/23)
MSF reported that they carried out a survey at Kibeho (south of Gikongoro in southwest Rwanda). Here the global mortality rate is 7.17/10,000/day, which is considered to be alarming. 74 percent are dying of dysentery. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 41, 9/23)
FOOD
Since the crisis began on 4/6, WFP has been providing food to more that 3.5 million people with the support of the donor community. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
According to WFP, priority food needs for the region for the month of October are 16,055 MT of cereals, pulses, corn-soya blend, salt, dried skimmed mile, and sugar. The needs for November include 21,255 MT of commodities, primarily cereals, and the requirement for December is 38,885 MT of commodities, of which 27,800 MT are cereals. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
According to WFP, there are reports of food shortages in Kibuye and Gitarama in western Rwanda. A joint UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, and MOB assessment indicated that there are food shortages in Kibungo in southeastern Rwanda. (Nairobi 17461, 9/26)
WATER
DART/Goma reported that the Goma city water system appeared to be non-operational on 9/24, and town residents were therefore flocking to the spigots installed by the Swedish operation to fill their jerrycans. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
SANITATION
The burial of dead Rwandan refugees was halted in Goma in Zaire after bands of armed Zairian soldiers began extorting money from grave-diggers. Reports indicate that hundreds of corpses have been left unburied, posing a new health hazard in the Goma region. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
Construction of sanitation facilities including latrines have improved health and living conditions in all refugee camps in Goma area. (WFP Reports no. 37, 9/23)
RADIO BROADCASTS
The UN radio network will be broadcasting to Kigali soon as equipment arrives in next day. The officer in charge of the radio project has invited NGOs UN agencies and other to contribute material for the broadcasts which will be largely in the local language using Rwandan translators. The broadcasts are designed to inform Rwandans about conditions in their country, in addition to interviews, music, and general chat. (DART/Kigali Sitrep, 9/24)
SECURITY
UNHCR reports that RPA forces in the southwest now outnumber UNAMIR forces 4 to 1. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
On 9/20, riots occurred in the Bukavu market in Zaire between the local population and Rwandan refugees. Eyewitness accounts indicate that Zairian soldiers launched grenades into the market to revenge the deaths of their fellow soldiers who were killed in this same market by FAR forces the previous week. Five Zairois civilians were killed by the explosion. After the grenade explosion, there was a machete attack by local civilians against refugees in the market place. One refugee was severely injured. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
The RPA is currently conducting searches in displaced persons camps in Gikongoro in southwestern Rwanda and throughout Rwanda. The RPA believes that these exercises are necessary, as the former government allegedly deployed 100,000 weapons (including automatic weapons throughout the region prior to being overthrown. The RPA claims that the purpose of its searches is to disarm the population. (Nairobi 17460, 9/23) Those harboring weapons including the machine guns and grenades, have been arrested. (USCINCEUR Vaihingen GE 231200, 9/23) There is concern among the relief community that this policy may cause panic throughout the country. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
The RPA now has a heavy presence in the northeast, including a military training camp. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
UNAMIR reports that 23 bodies were found near Rusumo in the Southeast. The bodies are approximately one month old. (DHA- Geneva Daily Information Report no.44, 9/28)
DART/Kigali reports that three RPA soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in Rusumo in southeast Rwanda. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/27)
A UNAMIR representative reported that the RPA military structure is a well-functioning system, and soldiers appear to be well- disciplined through the chain of command. However, there is reportedly little communication between UNAMIR and the RPA in the southwest, unlike other areas of the country where communication between the two entities is reportedly good. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
UNHCR Officers in Ngara in Tanzania reports that for the past several weeks, FAR troops have been arriving in refugee camps in the Ngara district from Goma at the rate of approximately 20 per week. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/27)
UNCHR has reported that dozens of former Rwandan soldiers have left refugee camps in Zaire and have made their way by an unknown route to Ngara in Tanzania. There is concern that these soldiers may be regrouping for the start of a possible guerilla war. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
LANDMINES
NGOs were asked for their input regarding areas that are mined, and were reminded to check for mined locations with UNAMIR before expanding their missions into new areas. Safety tips for driving in areas that could contain mines are available at UNREO. (DHA- Geneva Daily Information Report no.44, 9/28)
LOGISTICS
The U.N. reports 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. The time-frame for UNAMIR operations is one year, at which time the U.N. Security Council will review the situation. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
UNAMIR will stop providing fuel to NGOs from 9/31 because stocks are now available commercially. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.44, 9/28)
Nearly every agency and NGO in Cyangugu in southwestern Rwanda is now in a position to communicate with others on handset. UNHCR channel 7 is the security channel. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no.44, 9/28)
The Japanese defense forces is scheduled to station 260 persons in Goma, and 118 in Nairobi. In addition, the Japanese will provide three C-130s and their own materials handling equipment (MHE), including three forklifts (3, 5, and 10 KS). Approximately 100 personnel will be deployed to Nairobi on 10/3, and the remaining staff will be staged into the region in increments. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
USAF has ceased payments to staff at the airport. This is now the responsibility of the airport authority. (USCINCEUR Vaihingen GE 261712Z, 9/26)
OPERATION SUPPORT HOPE
The JTF has left the Rwanda region. The last C-5 carrying General Gerald departed Entebbe at 2:00 a.m. this morning (Nairobi time). (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/29)
DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS/COORDINATION
The number of NGOs working in Rwanda continues to increase. As of 9/21, 106 NGOs are operating throughout the country. (Nairobi 17461, 9/26)
The Japanese team in Goma will be involved in medical services, water production, construction and engineering activities in the camps, and tentatively on volcano eruption preparedness activities. The Japanese operation is scheduled to remain in the region for approximately three months. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26) The advance team of the Japanese Military Defense Force arrived in Goma on 9/23. It is likely that the team will take over the Goma water pumping station from the Swedes at the end of October, at which time the Swedes are expected to depart Goma. (BHR/OFDA Daily Report, 9/27)
The World Bank is considering establishing a "Fund Sociale" for Rwanda, whereby it would work with the Rwandan government to create a macro-framework of standards for the government's activities and services. NGOs have expressed concern that the relief community will not be able to assist the government in building its own capacity if NGOs continue to serve as implementors of government policies. (Nairobi 17461, 9/26)
HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS
NGOs expressed their concern that the UN is making slow progress on both the deployment of human rights monitors to the Rwanda region on the establishment of an international tribunal. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
WAR CRIMES
According to UNHCR, three mass graves, containing approximately 80,000 bodies total, were recently uncovered in Cyangugu in southwestern Rwanda. It is believed that the graves date to approximately June. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
The Rwandan Department of Justice (DOJ), not the RPA, is arresting people who they believe participated in the massacres. RPA soldiers occasionally accompany DOJ representatives to assist in the arrest, but are not actually conducting the arrests. Once the alleged perpetrators have been arrested, the DOJ interviews them to determine their guilt. According to RPA Military Representative Lt. Cameron, the RPA is merely detaining, not trying, the accused. The RPA would keep the accused in prison until the international community has established the international tribunal. (Nairobi 17460, 9/23)
UNREO Director Arturo Rein reported that the establishment of an international tribunal will realistically take one year. (Nairobi 17460, 9/23)
Both the RPA and the ICRC confirmed that ICRC staff have been allowed to visit prisoners who are being detained by the RPA. (Nairobi 17460, 9/23)
SITUATION INSIDE RWANDA
GENERAL
There are reportedly very few people working in the fields in the south and the southeast of the country. This lack of activity is in marked contrast to the situation in the northwest, where the population is already involved in substantial preparation for the planting season. (Nairobi 17487, 9/26)
NGOs have been requested to assist with repairs in the water line in the north/northeast of Rwanda, in the vicinity of Nigarama. Only a portion of the water line's 58 kilometers have been repaired to date. There are concerns that the region needs to be de-mined before further repairs can be made. (Nairobi 17461, 9/26)
KIGALI
The water system in urban Kigali is now functioning, but the cost of the operation continues to be underwritten by the international community. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26)
With UNICEF/UNESCO cooperation using the Teacher Emergency Package ('School in a Box'), primary schools in Kigali re-opened on 9/26. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
AGRICULTURE
FAO has received $4 million from the World Bank for agriculture activities in Rwanda. (Nairobi 17459, 9/26)
FAO reports that there continue to be gaps in the amount of seeds needed for the upcoming planting season and the amount available for distribution. Most NGOs report that they are receiving shipments of seeds on a daily basis, primarily from Uganda. The present gaps where seeds distributions have not occurred include: communities in Gitarama, Ruhengeri, and Cyangugu for bean seeds; communes in Ruhengeri, Gisenyi, Gikongoro, and Cyangugu for hoes; some communes in Cyangugu and Gisenyi for corn. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
FAO is scheduled to distribute maps to the relief community on 9/28 to indicate seed distribution by commune and to identify gaps. (Nairobi 17705, 9/27)
REHABILITATION
On 9/22, the Rwandan Prime Minister Faustin Twagiramungu signed two projects with UNDP to assist the Rwandan government in improving and strengthening its administrative capacity, particularly for the government's key Ministries (including the Ministries of Finances, Planning, Rehabilitation, Interior and Justice). The project is budgeted at US $1 million and will provide basic items necessary for the Ministries to function. (Nairobi 17539, 9/26) It is to set up coordination structures at the prefectural level and provide assistance to the local populations in response to their immediate need for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The first batch of equipment to be provided by UNDP to seven ministries arrived in Kigali on 9/25. It includes vehicles, computers, photocopy machines, typewriters and generators. The equipment will be handed over to the ministries shortly. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
TANZANIA
Generally speaking the northern Tanzanian camps (Murongo, Kagenyi I "Rubes", Kagenyi II and Chabilissa I and II) are being neglected. Although admittedly accommodating smaller caseloads, these camps are understaffed and under-supplied by UNHCR. Once the rains start, these camps will be nearly inaccessible as road conditions will deteriorate dramatically. The identification of a new site 10 km off the main road in Omukirio is good news, but site development will not be completed before the heaviest rains set in. (Nairobi 17542, 9/26)
Two hundred police have been deployed in Karagwe and Ngara to patrol entry points. (WFP Reports no. 37, 9/23)
BURUNDI
The power sharing agreement signed in Burundi on 9/10 is very positive, however, the lack of endorsement by extremists of both sides could compromise the agreement. (DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report no. 43, 9/28)
Insecurity has limited movements of WFP operational partners in northern provinces. In Kirundo, WFP partners working in Rukuamigabo camp require military escorts. (WFP Report no. 37, 9/23)
Summary of United States Government (USG)
Assistance to Rwanda Since April 1994
Agency U.S. $
USAID
BHR/OFDA 39,864,799
BHR/FFP 75,100,000
AFR/EA 1,000,000
Total 115,964,799
State
PRM 48,122,696
DOD
OSD/HRA 26,946,572
Other *
Total 26,946,572
Grand Total $191,034,067
* "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