Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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UNHCR and the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) held a conference on refugee solutions and socio-economic inclusion in Rwanda’s development planning. Among the outcomes of the stakeholder consultations included an affirmation that refugees can contribute positively to Rwanda’s economy and plans for next steps to boost their self-reliance through the launching of the MIDIMAR-UNHCR Joint Strategy for Economic Inclusion of refugees.
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UNHCR and delegations from African countries as well as the African Union agreed on final steps to end the protracted Rwandan refugee situation after seven years of negotiations. This ministerial meeting, hosted by UNHCR in Geneva, marks the last phase of the Comprehensive Solutions Strategy. The participants, who hailed from Rwanda as well as the major refugee hosting countries reaffirmed their commitment to bring the strategy, launched in October 2009, to its conclusion by the end of next year. Highlights continued on page 2 and at www.unhcr.org/rw
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UNHCR welcomes the significant new commitments made by the Government of Rwanda to improve protection and solutions for refugees at the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees, convened by US President Barack Obama in New York on 20 September. At the summit, Rwanda announced that it will further integrate refugees into the national education system, ensure all refugees have proper documentation, all urban refugees will have access to health insurance and will promote self-reliance of refugees through a MIDIMAR-UNHCR Joint Strategy on Economic Inclusion of Refugees. Marking this significant achievement, several ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions in Rwanda joined the UNHCR Representative and Minister of MIDIMAR in a visit to Mugombwa Refugee Camp, which is home to nearly 9,000 Congolese refugees. The visit also followed the UN General Assembly Summit for Refugees and Migrants, which was held on 19 September. Prior to both summits, UNHCR and MIDIMAR organized a joint visit to Mahama camp with over 20 ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in order to meet Burundian refugees and see their living conditions first-hand, and also monitor the facilities and services which are funded by international donors.