UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
DHA-Geneva Sitrep No. 54

DHA-Geneva Sitrep No. 54

DHA-GENEVA 94/0396

                             RWANDA
                        CIVIL DISTURBANCE
           DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 54
                         21 October 1994
  -------------------------------------------------------------
         Information for this report is provided by the
              UN Rwanda Emergency Office in Kigali
  -------------------------------------------------------------

 

This sitrep is produced three times every week. The information is compiled from inputs by organizations working in Rwanda including UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, UNHCR, WHO, FAO, IOM, UNAMIR, USAID-DART, US-JTF and NGOs.

GENERAL SUMMARY
---------------

There are an estimated 1,852,43434 Internally Displaced Persons in Rwanda according to the 14 October UNAMIR consolidated Refugee/Displaced Persons List.

Security situation on the Rwanda/Burundi border in Sector 4C is calm.

The Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. J. P. Pronk, arrives in Kigali on Friday, 21 October for a three-day visit.

SECURITY
--------

A UNAMIR report has described the Rwanda/Burundi border in sector 4C as calm on the Rwandan side. Firing was heard during the period 18 - 19 October on the Burundian side and an unspecified number of Burundian soldiers were seen deployed on the Burundi side of the border, according to UNAMIR.

UNAMIR reported that 4 people were wounded at the Ndaba camp in Sector 4C when RPA troops opened fire on IDPs in the camp in an attempt to keep them in place for an address by the RPA. Subsequently, the population in the camp moved away towards Kivumu also in Sector 4C.

The Prefect of Gikongoro had a meeting with UN Agencies and NGOs on 18 October and said that it was time to move the IDPs, if need be by force, from the Gikongoro area. A delegation comprising UN Agencies and NGOs held a meeting with the prefect to discuss the matter.

The prefect explained to the delegation that they intended the camps to be closed before the next planting season in January/February. He said that in his opinion there is neither hope nor life in the camps and it was not possible for the IDPs to be fed indefinitely by the international community.

The Canadian priest who was murdered in his home in Ruyenzi on the night of 17/18 October was buried on 19 October. According to UNAMIR, the motive for the murder is still unestablished.

REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED
---------------------------------

UNAMIR has released the third edition of a consolidated refugee/displaced persons list. According to the up-date there are an estimated 1,852,434 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within Rwanda. This figure compares with an estimated 1,967,360 as of 26 September. The 14 October figures by sector compares with the previous list as follows:

              SECTOR       14 OCTOBER       26 SEPTEMBER
            --------------------------------------------
                  1           290,000            290,000
                  2           142,000            142,000
                  3           438,812            434,400
                  4A          634,404            775,360
                  4B           57,000             51,000
                  4C           90,118             74,500
                   5          182,000            182,000
           Unlocated
               camps           18,100             18,100
           ---------------------------------------------
               TOTAL        1,852,434          1,967,360
 

The UNHCR official figure for Rwandan refugees is 2,033,300. This brings the total figure for displaced persons in the region to 3,885,734. According to the updated list, the exact figure of IDPs in Kigali is difficult to establish as the number is steadily increasing with refugees and IDPs arriving in the capital each day. UNAMIR has requested that all comments on the updated list be passed to HR BritCon by Friday, 28 October 1994.

RETURNEE MOVEMENT
-----------------

Operation Homeward assisted in the movement of a total of 1,606 IDPs on 19 October. The movement is broken down as follows:

     NUMBER MOVED    FROM                TO
     --------------------------------------------------------
              793    Cyanika, Kaduha     Kigali-Ngenda
     --------------------------------------------------------
              813    Sector 4            Butare-Kigali-Ngenda
     --------------------------------------------------------
 

162 refugees were also moved from Gisenyi to Sector 2. Since its inception, Operation Homeward has helped move a total of 8,384 IDPs.

Other movements on 19 and 20 October:

      210  IDPs  from Kigali   to  Kibungo
      971  IDPs  from Kigali   to  Ngenda
       25  IDPs  from Kigali   to  Bugesera
       50  IDPs  from Bugesera to  Kigali
      566  IDPs  from Gisenyi  to  Ruhengeri
      160  IDPs  from Kibuye   to  Kigali
      --------------------------------------
             TOTAL:   1,982
      --------------------------------------
 

RETURNEES FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

UNAMIR reported that 1,532 refugees returned to Rwanda from neighbouring countries on 19 October. The returnee breakdown is as follows:

        347    from Tanzania  through the Rusumo Checkpoint
         81    from Zaire     through Sector 4C
      1,104    from Zaire     through Sector 5

In October, a total of 3,254 refugees have returned to Rwanda.

REFUGEE CAMPS

WHO, in collaboration with the Japanese Medical Contingent and NGOs, is undertaking a large campaign against lice infestation in the refugee camps around Goma. WHO reported that 70 per cent of refugees have body lice which is a potential vector of typhus. NGOs have received training from WHO to develop their skills in the use of insecticide equipment and spraying. Community Health Workers in camps have received training from WHO in the prevention of louse infestation.

WHO and the Japanese Medical Contingent will strengthen the "Ami de Kivu" laboratory in Goma. It is envisaged that the laboratory will provide vital support for epidemic surveillance and, in particular, will be able to monitor sensitivity to antibiotics of the dysentery bacillus.

HUMAN RIGHTS
------------

On 19 October Mr. Degni Segui, Human Rights Special Rapporteur, held discussions with both local and international NGOs in Kigali.

AGRICULTURE
-----------

FAO reported that 500,000 farming families comprising approximately 2.5 million people have each received 10 kg of either beans or maize seeds. Since September, 380,000 hoes have ben distributed. 290,000 hoes are being purchased.

HEALTH
------

WHO has strengthened the laboratory of the Centre Hospitaliere de Kigali (CHK) to the extent that it now has the ability to diagnose dysentery and monitor its sensitivity trend. This laboratory now has the capacity to be used as a dysentery referral centre for the whole country.

UNICEF reported that since the Central Medical Drug Store and Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) cold chain have already been fully rehabilitated the Ministry of Health will assume management responsibility for distribution for the EPI programme. NGOs can now channel their requests for vaccines and cold chain equipment directly to the MOH store. UNICEF will however continue to provide the Government with technical expertise, supplies and financial support.

Together with UNIFEM, African Humanitarian Action (AHA) started a psycho-trauma management programme for women and children in the Kibungo Prefecture.

MINE AWARENESS
--------------

UNICEF has held two mine awareness training sessions for trainers on 14 and 16 October, respectively, with the participation of the Ministry of Health. 16,000 mine awareness kits are awaited. Another Mine Awareness training session was begun in Byumba on 17 October.

OTHER INFORMATION
-----------------

The Dutch Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. J.P. Pronk arrived in Kigali today, 21 October for a three-day visit. He will meet with Rwandan Government Representatives as well as Representatives of UN Agencies and NGOs.

--------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA
 
DHA Contacts: Deborah Saidy and Michael Gaouette
Direct Telephone: 788.7020 / 788.7019
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY - Telephone: (41 22)917.2010
Press to contact: Ms Mounira Skandrani
Ms Skandrani Direct Telephone: (41 22) 917.3114
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
Fax: (41 22) 917 0023
Electronic Mail: DIALCOM 141 : DHAGVA


From: "Arthur R. McGee" 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 21 Oct 94 10:36:23 -0700
From: CMONTENE%UNICC.BITNET@CEARN.cern.ch
Subject: DHA-GENEVA SITREP VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

Previous Menu Home Page What's New Search Country Specific