KEY STATISTICS
6,608 new asylum seekers arrived in Rwanda from DRC between November 2022 and 4 May 2023
1,775 asylum seekers were relocated to Mahama camp up until 12th January
4,833 asylum seekers accommodated at Nkamira Transit Site
58% of the new arrivals in Rwanda are children below 18
Most of the new arrivals originate from North Kivu (Masisi and Rutshuru)
OVERVIEW
The escalation in fighting within Eastern DRC is resulting in an increase of new asylum seekers arriving in Rwanda. As of mid-April, over 5,995 individuals have arrived in Rwanda since mid-November 2022.
Between the end of November and beginning of January, new arrivals were initially received at Kijote Transit Centre before being transferred to Mahama refugee camp. Due to the increasing numbers, however, and the fact that Mahama Camp has reached capacity, on 12 January 2023, the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) informed UNHCR of the decision of the Government of Rwanda to host asylum seekers close to the border at a new site - Nkamira.
On 8 February, Kijote Transit Centre was emptied, and all new arrivals are now directly transferred to Nkamira Transit Site. Although the numbers of new arrivals decreased in late February and March, UNHCR observed an increase in the flow of new arrivals in the latter part of April. Working alongside partners, UNHCR continues to build the capacity of Nkamira Transit Site and provide basic services to support the new arrivals.