Attachments
Kigali, Rwanda 27 May 2015
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Rwanda has received an important contribution towards its ongoing response to the Burundi refugee emergency in Rwanda, totaling USD 5.97 million, from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), as part of an overall contribution of USD 7.9 million in the context of One UN Rwanda support. Since 31 March 2015 over 28,000 refugees have fled from Burundi to camps in Rwanda, with a further undetermined number of urban refugees who are currently being registered. Rwanda is already hosting over 74,000 Congolese refugees who are living in five camps managed by the Government of Rwanda and UNHCR. "The generous contribution from CERF has come at a critical time for UNHCR's initial response in supporting the Government of Rwanda in ensuring basic assistance and protection for refugees fleeing from Burundi," said Mr. Saber Azam, Representative of UNHCR which leads the refugee response in Rwanda jointly with the Government's Ministry for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR).
CERF’s contribution will support UNHCR’s emergency interventions in areas including protection of Burundian refugees and life-saving assistance such as shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, and health care, among others. Since the start of the influx of refugees from Burundi, UNHCR and MIDIMAR have set up two border reception centers as well as a new refugee camp, Mahama, already home to over 23,500 since it opened on 22 April 2015. UNHCR has also established protection and basic services in all locations, with the support of sister UN agencies and NGO partners. The refugees are overwhelmingly women and children, as such child protection and assistance for unaccompanied minors is a key priority for UNHCR, which has already assisted over 380 children at risk.
CERF’s contribution for the Rwanda refugee response also includes USD 1.9 million for other UN partners WFP, UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO to provide critical interventions in food and nutrition, child protection, and health. "UNHCR is tremendously grateful to CERF for this timely contribution to the Burundi refugee response in Rwanda, and to the essential work of our sister agencies who also received support from CERF," said Mr. Azam. "In order for UNHCR and our partners to continue delivering for refugees, we will however require greater support from the international community." UNHCR released on 22 May the Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Burundi situation, presenting all needs for UN and NGO actors to assist Burundian refugees in affected countries.
For more information please contact:
Martina Pomeroy, External Relations Officer, UNHCR Rwanda, pomeroy@unhcr.org +250-78-830-2769 Refugee Response Plan for Burundi: http://www.unhcr.org/555f1dfe9.html