Date: Mon, 28 Aug 95 13:35:37 EDT
From: Emergency Information Administrator
Subject: Zaire: Refugees OFDA-01
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
ZAIRE - Refugees
Fact Sheet #1 August 24, 1995
Background: Zaire continues to host more than 1 million Rwandan
refugees. A majority of these refugees arrived over a five-day
period following the July 1994 victory in Rwanda by the Tutsi-
dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Military elements of
the former regime known as the ex-Armed Forces of Rwanda (ex-FAR)
as well as militia members are prevalent among the refugee
population. Through intimidation, the ex-FAR has prevented many
Rwandan refugees from returning to Rwanda. 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 invasion and feel that it could occur
prior to Nov. 1995 when the next rainy season commences.
An arms embargo was placed on Rwanda in May 1994 by the United
Nations Security Council (UNSC) to stem the flow of arms during
the civil war. In light of the threat from the former regime,
the UNSC unanimously voted on Aug. 16, 1995, to suspend the
embargo for 1 year. The Government of Zaire (GOZ) believed that
lifting the embargo would invite attacks by the Government of
Rwanda's (GOR) military, known as the Rwandan Patriotic Army
(RPA), on refugee camps in Zaire and that the restrictions in the
resolution were insufficient to prevent misuse of the weapons.
The GOZ warned that if the embargo were lifted, it would be
justified in abandoning its international obligation to provide a
safe haven for refugees. On Aug. 19, the GOZ military began
forcibly repatriating Rwandan and Burundian refugees.
Numbers Affected: As of August 2, the U. N. High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) reports there are approximately 1.1 million
Rwandan and 100,000 Burundian refugees in Zaire. According to
UNHCR, the GOZ military forcibly repatriated 12,800 refugees from
Aug. 19-23. It is estimated that approximately 80-85% of the
returnees are women, children, and elderly. Many of the
returnees have come from Mugunga camp in Goma which has a large
ex-FAR population. UNHCR reports that an additional 133,000
Rwandan and Burundian refugees have left their camps near Goma,
Bukavu and Uvira and fled further into Zaire to avoid being
repatriated.
Current Situation: The GOR, with assistance from UNHCR, is
processing the returnees as quickly as possible. UNHCR has
opened reception centers in Gisenyi and Cyangugu that can
accommodate up to 5,000 refugees per day. However, it has warned
that if the number of returnees exceeds 10,000 per day, its
lodging and processing capacity will be overloaded.
The Rwandan side of the border currently is calm. The refugees
are being trucked by the U.N. and the International Organization
for Migration (IOM) from the border to transit sites. It is
being reported that most Rwandan returnees are arriving with
little or nothing because they either did not have time to
assemble their belongings or their possessions were looted by the
GOZ military. The RPA is maintaining a low-key presence.
Increasing civil disturbance in Burundi hinders the country's
ability to integrate returning refugees. UNHCR has established a
transit camp near Gatumba but it is very close to the Zairian
border and has no water and sanitation resources. Fortunately,
the Burundian refugees are arriving with a few more possessions
and supplies. Relief agencies are providing shelter and
temporary water and sanitation services.
Diplomatic Efforts: The U.N., the U.S. Government (USG) and
others are urging the GOZ to fulfill its international obligation
to the refugees. On Aug. 23, the UNSC issued a statement noting
the GOZ's plight and urging the refugees' countries of origin to
make a greater effort to draw the refugees home. Other donors
have issued their own statements recognizing the GOZ's concerns
for its national security but emphasizing its obligations under
international humanitarian principles. On Aug. 24, the GOZ
suspended its forced repatriation policy, though how long this
will last is unclear. UNHCR High Commissioner Ogata will meet
with GOZ Prime Minister Kengo in the near future to discuss the
issue.
USG Assistance: U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda, David Rawson, as well
as representatives of USAID/Rwanda and USAID/Burundi have visited
key border sites and the Gatumba transit centers. The State
Department's Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration has
dispatched its regional refugee coordinator to the scene. The
USG has not expended additional humanitarian assistance as a
result of the GOZ's current actions. However, previously-funded
projects continue to benefit needy refugees and internally
displaced persons in the Rwanda/Burundi region.
U.S. Government (USG) Humanitarian Assistance for Rwanda and the
Rwanda Region:
Total USG Assistance to Rwanda and the Rwanda
Regional Emergency FY 1994/1995 (to date). . . . . .$584,724,862
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