Date: Wed, 30 Aug 95 16:56:02 EDT
From: Emergency Information Administrator
Subject: Rwanda: Civil OFDA-07
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
RWANDA - Civil Strife/Displaced Persons
Situation Report #7 Fiscal Year (FY) 1995 August 28, 1995
Note: The last situation report was dated July 24, 1995.
Overview
More than one year after the April 6, 1994, plane crash that killed
President Habyarimana of Rwanda and President Ntaryamira of Burundi
and unleashed massive genocidal killing and refugee outflows, Rwanda's
future remains uncertain. Increased levels of voluntary refugee
repatriation and agricultural activity are signs that the country is
on the road to rehabilitation. However, over a million refugees
remain outside Rwanda's borders; among them, militia members and
military elements of the former regime known as the ex-Armed Forces of
Rwanda (ex-FAR). The ex-FAR allegedly conducts military training near
the camps and has pledged to retake Rwanda by force, if necessary.
Credible sources speculate openly about a potential increase in cross-
border raids and feel that it could occur prior to November 1995 when
the next rainy season commences.
The U.N. Assistance Mission In Rwanda (UNAMIR) peacekeeping force
remains in Rwanda to assist humanitarian operations, protect
internally displaced persons and civilians at risk, provide security
to members of the international tribunal and human rights observers,
and assist in establishing and training a new integrated national
police force. UNAMIR's current mandate expires on December 9, 1995,
by which time its presence will be reduced from 5,500 to 1,800 troops,
320 military observers as well as additional support staff.
Prior to April 6, 1994, Rwanda was the most densely populated country
in Africa. It is the size of the state of Maryland and had a
population of 8.1 million people. The population was comprised of 14%
Tutsi, 85% Hutu, and 1% Twa before the war. Since it gained
independence from Belgium in 1962, Rwanda has been fraught with tragic
periods of politically motivated ethnic violence that has claimed the
lives of thousands of people, however the genocide experienced by
Rwanda last year is unprecedented.
Numbers Affected
As of August 2, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) reports there are approximately 1.8 million Rwandan refugees
in the following countries: Zaire - 1.1 million; Tanzania - 526,000;
Burundi - 182,413; Uganda - 4,000. These numbers do not reflect the
more than 5.5 million persons inside Rwanda who have been affected by
the violence and its aftermath.
Total USG Assistance to Rwanda & Rwanda
Regional Crisis (FY94/95) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $584,304,463
Current Situation
When the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) won the civil war in Rwanda in
July 1994 and was recognized as the legitimate Government of Rwanda
(GOR), it inherited an arms embargo placed on Rwanda in May 1994 by
the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to stem the flow of arms
the country during its civil war. The new GOR has been in place for
over a year. In light of this and what the UNSC calls "reports of
military preparations and increasing incursions into Rwanda by
(military) elements of the former regime" in refugee camps in eastern
Zaire, the UNSC unanimously voted on August 16, 1995, to suspend the
embargo against the GOR for one year and then lift it, allowing the
GOR to acquire weapons to defend itself.
In doing so, the UNSC decided to continue to prohibit the sale and
supply of arms and related materiel to non-governmental Rwandan forces
both within and outside the country. As means of assurance, the UNSC
is requiring all countries exporting weapons to the GOR to notify and
register purchases with the U.N. The resolution also prohibits the
transfer -both direct and indirect- of these weapons to neighboring
countries.
The Government of Zaire (GOZ) did not support lifting the arms
embargo, citing its belief that it would open the door to attacks by
the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) on refugee camps in Zaire and that the
restrictions in the resolution were not sufficient to prevent misuse
of the weapons. The GOZ warned that if the embargo was lifted the GOZ
would be justified in abandoning its international obligation to
provide a safe haven for refugees. On August 19, the GOZ military
began forcibly expelling Rwandan and Burundian refugees from camps in
eastern Zaire. UNHCR reports that, between August 19 and 23, the GOZ
military expelled 15,081 refugees. On August 24, the GOZ suspended
its forced repatriation policy, though how long this will last is
unclear. (For more information, see BHR/OFDA's Zaire-Refugees Fact
Sheet.)
While the UNSC resolution represents further international support for
the GOR, the resolution also reminds the GOR that the international
community remains concerned about the situation in Rwanda's prisons.
As of August 14, approximately 51,000 people are detained in 14
prisons and 196 detention centers throughout Rwanda. The official
capacity of these facilities is judged to be 11,500 and, in some
prisons, there are as many as four people per square meter. It is
estimated that approximately 300 prisoners die per month, largely due
to overcrowding.
The relief community in Rwanda, including the GOR, is developing an
action plan to alleviate the prison overcrowding in the near future.
The plan calls for the creation of temporary facilities capable of
housing 15,000 detainees by the end of September 1995. Permanent
facilities capable of housing 35,000 detainees also will be created.
In addition, the relief community and the GOR are taking steps to
locate and rehabilitate supplementary detention centers so that female
and child prisoners can be separated from the main holding facilities.
The number of child detainees is 1,028.
Voluntary repatriation of Rwandan refugees from neighboring countries
is continuing with the spontaneous and organized arrival of refugees
from Burundi, Zaire and Tanzania, though the number from Tanzania has
been limited. Since 1994, an estimated 700,000 Rwandan refugees have
returned to Rwanda, 150,000 of which have repatriated in 1995. Many
of the returnees are "old caseload refugees" from Uganda who fled
Rwanda in 1959 and 1963.
The environmental impact of Rwanda's civil war is evident in virtually
every area where refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have
lived. In southwest Rwanda, the former IDP campsites are almost
totally denuded of ground vegetation and trees. Nearly all
surrounding tree plantations and woodlots are bare. In Zaire, similar
environmental devastation has been reported in Goma and the nearby
Virunga National Park. Zairian authorities are attempting to mitigate
further damage by limiting the days in which refugees can collect
wood, but illegal commerce in wood continues. Poaching also is a
problem. In Tanzania's Ngara District, a 10-15 kilometer radius
around the Benaco refugee complex has been denuded.
Political/Military Situation
UNAMIR reports that the overall security situation in Rwanda,
particularly in Kigali, is improving. Rwanda's gradual return to
normalcy appears to be accompanied by a weakening support base for the
former regime. This has spurred incidents of infiltration and
targeted violence in areas bordering Zaire by the ex-FAR and militia.
Two government officials were murdered in July in Bugarama in
southwest Rwanda. Acts of banditry occur and key installations, such
as water and power plants, have been sabotaged.
UNAMIR is proceeding with its plans to downsize in Rwanda. By the end
of July, the Tunisian and Ethiopian contingents had departed and the
Nigerian contingent had been reduced. By the end of August, the
Zambian, Senegalese, and Australian troops will depart and the
Malawian contingent will be reduced, bringing the troop level of
UNAMIR to approximately 2,500.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) established by
the U.N. Security Council for the prosecution of those who committed
serious violations of International Humanitarian Law, including
genocide, is working to overcome logistical obstacles and conduct
effective investigations by building up its staff of investigators and
prosecutors. In addition, the ICTR's Chief Prosecutor, Judge
Goldstone, met with U.N. officials in New York, including Secretary
General Boutros-Ghali, in late July to increase the level of
cooperation between the ICTR and the U.N. Judge Goldstone also
visited Rwanda on August 7 to survey ICTR activities there.
U.N. Human Rights monitors are providing technical assistance to the
justice system, and promoting the observance and respect of human
rights. BHR's Office of Transition Initiatives (BHR/OTI) is funding a
staff person to work with the human rights operations.
Relief Efforts
Efforts are underway in Rwanda to trace former camp residents
following the forced closure of all camps for internally displaced
persons (IDP) in Rwanda by the GOR in April. At that time, the number
of IDPs was estimated to be 160,000 - 180,000. Based on registration
figures, a considerable number of IDPs have not returned to their home
communes but continue to be displaced in Rwanda or have sought refuge
in Burundi. Of the former IDPs that have been registered, local
authorities in places such as Gikongoro report that some are
attempting to resettle in areas other than their home communes. In
some areas, people have reintegrated well, often with assistance from
the communes, and are engaged in agricultural activities. In others,
such as Butare, the shortage of housing and land has led to violent
disputes.
The U.N.'s Rwanda Emergency Office (UNREO) in Kigali will close its
doors on August 31. UNREO recently has been working with the U.N.
Development Program's Resident Representative in Rwanda to establish a
Disaster Management Team (DMT) for contingency planning. The DMT is
forging links with the GOR and NGOs to carry out joint assessments and
contingency planning. The NGOs are undertaking a similar exercise
informally to identify available resources and develop contingency
plans on a regional basis.
Situation by Region
Rwanda
A country-wide nutritional survey conducted in July showed that global
malnutrition rates for children younger than five had risen from a
pre-war level of 3.8 % (July 1993) to 9.7%. The survey also showed
that the rate of chronic malnutrition now stands at 44.4%. In June
1993, the rate was 56.3%. The reason for this variation is not clear.
WFP reports that the number and volume of food-for-work (FFW) projects
in agriculture and infrastructure rehabilitation have increased
dramatically. During July 1995, up to 48% of total food aid
distributions were via FFW, as opposed to 10% during the first six
months of 1995.
Eastern Zaire
In addition to the 15,081 refugees forcibly expelled to Rwanda and
Burundi by the GOZ from August 19-23, approximately 133,000 refugees
left their camps and fled further into Zaire to avoid repatriation.
Five of the eleven refugee camps near Uvira in South Kivu Province
have been vacated.
While refugees from the Goma camps are arriving in Rwanda with little
or no belongings, Burundian refugees from camps in South Kivu are
arriving in Burundi with a few possessions and supplies, including
food. (See also BHR/OFDA
Zaire-Refugees Fact Sheet.)
Burundi
Since January 1995, UNHCR estimates that 20,000 Rwandan refugees in
Burundi have returned to Rwanda. UNHCR has facilitated fact-finding
visits of Rwandan refugees from Burundi to Rwanda and they have proven
quite successful. UNHCR also is monitoring the reintegration of
returnees in areas receiving substantial returnee populations. In
four communes in Butare Prefecture, UNHCR reports that all the
returnees appear satisfied with the situation in their various
communes. (See also BHR/OFDA Burundi situation report.)
Northern Tanzania
Relief agencies assisting Rwandan refugees in Tanzania are suffering
from UNHCR's severe lack of funding. All agencies are cutting
international staff and some, such as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
and the World Health Organization (WHO) are shutting down programs
altogether. Projects to expand shelter facilities and provide vital
new sources of potable water are grinding to a halt. In addition, the
lack of funding has constrained contingency planning exercises.
USAID representatives visited refugee camps in Ngara and Kibondo
Districts July 17 - 21. As of August 2, the five camps that make up
Benaco Complex in Ngara had a population of 421,000 and are reported
to be calm, though overcrowded. Apart from high malnutrition rates
(54%) in children under five, most of the refugees do not seem to have
serious nutritional problems.
The provision of adequate water is a very serious problem in the
camps. Even at the current meager rate of consumption, the camps'
water supply will last only another 6-12 months.
The USAID team also visited Kanembwa camp in Kibondo District. The
camp is calm and has a population of about 13,000. Water, firewood
and sanitation services are adequate, but the camp's food rations are
not. Of the camp's 3,000 children under the age of five, 194 were in
special feeding programs being treated for malnutrition. Aside from
these nutritional problems, the overall health conditions in the camp
appeared to be adequate.
The villages near Kanembwa camp have allocated 5,000 acres of land to
the refugees. If the refugees can cultivate the land successfully, it
could result in a decreased dependence on food aid next year.
The camps in both Ngara and Kibondo Districts report serious
logistical problems that could hinder the delivery of relief supplies
in the near future, particularly during the rainy season. In
addition, the birth rates in the camps are extremely high. This
eventually will overwhelm the presently-sufficient sanitation
services.
The Government of Tanzania (GOT) officially closed its border with
Burundi on March 31, 1995, to prevent the influx of additional
refugees. It remains closed.
USG Assistance
A disaster was declared in Rwanda in FY94 on April 28, 1994, by U.S.
Ambassador David Rawson due to widespread genocide and violence
following the events of April 6, 1994. On October 7, 1994, Ambassador
Rawson issued a disaster declaration for FY95, confirming the ongoing
crisis in the Rwanda region.
In response to the crises in Rwanda, the USG to date (FY94 and FY95)
has provided over $584.3 million to U.N. agencies, IOs and NGOs for
relief programs, in addition to deploying 2,000 troops to the region
to assist the humanitarian effort from July to September 1994. Some
of this funding, specifically food aid and refugee assistance, also
has benefitted Burundian refugees and IDPs. Beginning in late May
1994, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) began airlifting emergency
relief supplies for U.N. agencies, ICRC, and many NGOs. State/PRM has
allocated nearly $137 million for refugee assistance programs in the
region. Since the beginning of the crisis, BHR/FFP has committed over
413,000 MT of food assistance valued at nearly $251 million to the
region. USG humanitarian assistance to the region has also been
provided by AFR/EA and BHR/OTI.
The GOR continues to require funding to strengthen its ministries and
bolster its capacity to govern the country. To date, USAID/Rwanda has
committed $8.7 million from the Development Fund for Africa (DFA)
towards the physical and technical support of GOR ministries,
including improving the capacity of the Ministry of Justice.
Commodities provided by USAID funds, such as vehicles and computers,
already are in use by the GOR.
USG HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO RWANDA:
USG FY95 Funding to Rwanda:
BHR/OFDA
Grant to UNDHA for personnel support for UNREO . . . . . . . . . $247,270
Grant to ADRA for wells/roads rehabilitation,
food-for-work program, northeast Rwanda. . . . . . . . . . . . . $499,609
Grant amendment to ADRA for Kibuye seeds & tools
distribution and FFW program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $286,180
Grant amendment to AICF/F for emergency nutrition
and sanitation programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $491,214
Grant amendment to AICF/USA for health and water
program, Butare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $273,878
Grant to AICF/USA for for health and water program . . . . . . . $871,994
Grant to ARC for health, water, and building rehabilitation
in northeast Rwanda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $755,174
Grant to DOD for airlift of heavy equipment to Goma, Zaire . . . .$79,215
Grant to IRC for relief and rehabilitation in
Cyangugu and Kibungo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $999,594
Grant to IRC for health and water rehabilitation project . . . . $750,464
Grant to ICRC for emergency relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,708,189
Grant to CARE for agriculture recovery project in
Butare and Gitarama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,404,959
Grant to CARE for food distribution program in
Gitarama Prefecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $285,866
Grant amendment to CRWRC for seeds and tools
project, Kibuye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$59,848
Grant to Equilibre to implement a transport program
in southwest Rwanda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $192,570
Grant to FTC/Europe for emergency food assistance
in Butare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$48,737
Grant to ICRC for regional purchase and storage of
maize flour and logistical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,034,000
Grant to IMC for emergency health intervention in
Kibungo, Butare, Nyanza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $886,718
Grant amendment to IRC for camp administration,
southwest Rwanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $392,891
Grant to SCF/UK for primary health care program in
Ruhengeri. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250,499
Grant to UNICEF for water/sanitation rehabilitation
activities throughout Rwanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000,000
Grant amendment to UNREO for personnel support . . . . . . . . . $320,012
Grant to UNREO for planning and coordination efforts . . . . . . $439,295
Grant to World Relief International for primary health
care in Kibogora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $230,036
Grant to WFP for regional purchase of white maize . . . . . . $1,679,000
Grant to WVRD for an emergency agricultural program in
Kanazi, Ruhengeri, Gikongoro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,988,708
Grant to FTC/E for food distribution to persons returning
home from IDP camps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,856
Grant to Solidarites for food/non-food assistance to
persons returning from IDP camps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$70,780
Cost of 400 rolls of plastic sheeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$87,920
DART administration/OFDA Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $497,916
Total BHR/OFDA Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$19,846,392
BHR/OTI
Contribution to U.N. Human Rights Program
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $860,000
Personnel support for BHR/OTI projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$27,000
Criminal Justice System Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500
Total BHR/OTI Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $891,500
BHR/FFP
10,050 MT to CRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,328,900
17,170 MT to ICRC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,694,900
2,140 MT to WVRD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $970,100
Total BHR/FFP Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,993,900
TOTAL FY95 ASSISTANCE TO RWANDA
(to date). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$37,731,792
USG FY95 ASSISTANCE FOR RWANDA REGIONAL CRISIS: (Note: Given the
regional nature of the Rwanda crisis, food and refugee assistance is
targeted to Rwanda and the surrounding countries--Burundi, Tanzania,
Zaire, and Uganda.)
BHR/FFP
277,970 MT to WFP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $149,427,900
Total BHR/FFP Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $149,427,900
State/PRM
Contribution to American Refugee Committee for health
& training project in Zaire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $194,782
Contribution to IOM to assist conflict victims . . . . . . . . $1,000,000
Contribution to IRC to assist Rwandan and
Burundian refugees in Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,208,557
Contribution to IRC/Zaire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $718,385
Contribution to UNHCR to assist returnees/conflict
victims from Rwanda/Burundi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$52,000,000
Contribution to WFP for Rwandan & Burundian refugees
in Zaire, Tanzania, Uganda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,000,000
Contribution to IFRC to assist returnees, refugees, &
conflict victims from Rwanda/Burundi
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,500,000
Contribution to UNHCR for the Rwanda/Burundi
Regional Refugee Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000
Total State/PRM Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$80,671,724
TOTAL USG FY95 ASSISTANCE FOR RWANDA REGIONAL CRISIS
(to date). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $230,099,624
TOTAL USG FY95
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
FOR RWANDA AND RWANDA
REGIONAL CRISIS:
Total FY95 Assistance to Rwanda (to date). . . . . . . . . . .$37,731,792
Total USG FY95 Assistance for Rwanda Regional
Crisis (to date) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $230,099,624
TOTAL USG FY95 ASSISTANCE FOR RWANDA AND RWANDA
REGIONAL CRISIS (to date). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $267,831,416
TOTAL USG FY94
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
FOR RWANDA AND RWANDA
REGIONAL CRISIS:
Total USG FY94 Funding for Rwanda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $220,048,251
Total USG FY94 Funding for Rwanda Regional Crisis. . . . . . .$96,424,796
TOTAL USG FY94 ASSISTANCE FOR RWANDA AND RWANDA
REGIONAL CRISIS (to date). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $316,473,047
TOTAL USG FY94/95
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
FOR RWANDA AND RWANDA
REGIONAL CRISIS:
Total USG FY94/95 Funding to Rwanda
(to date). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $257,780,043
Total USG FY94/95 Funding for Rwanda Regional
Crisis (to date) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $326,524,420
TOTAL USG FY94/95 HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR
RWANDA AND RWANDA REGIONAL CRISIS (to date). . . . . . . . . $584,304,463
________________________________________
Nan Borton
Director
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
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