UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
DHA-GENEVA SITREP NO. 40

DHA-GENEVA SITREP NO. 40

  
                             RWANDA
                        CIVIL DISTURBANCE
           DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 40
                        19 September 1994
 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
         Information for this report is provided by the
              UN Rwanda Emergency Office in Kigali
-----------------------------------------------------------------
 

------------------
DHA-GENEVA 94/0330
------------------

This sitrep is produced three times every week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The information is compiled from inputs by organizations working in Rwanda including UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, UNHCR, WHO, IOM, UNAMIR, USAID-DART, US-JTF and NGOs. This document is intended to represent the best available information as of 1200, 16 September 1994.

GENERAL SUMMARY
---------------

Various government prefectures have announced their plans for the reopening of primary and secondary schools in the coming weeks. (See education).

The overall security situation within the country remains constant though there are increasing numbers of mine injuries reported across the country.

The Government of Rwanda has initiated bi-weekly press briefings. (See human rights).

On 15 September the city of Kigali enjoyed several hours of power plant-generated electricity, though the system is far from repaired.

Ambassador Robert Sherwood Dillon, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General who is charged with looking at the Rwandan crisis within its regional context has recently visited Ngara and south-west Rwanda. On 16 September he travelled to Burundi to meet with Government and UN officials; he will visit Goma the week of 19 September.

Non-governmental organizations currently registered with the NGO Unit number 100.

EDUCATION
---------

Many Rwandan primary and secondary schools are scheduled to commence with classes in the next week.

Byumba Prefecture schools will begin operating on 17 September. An estimated 4,600 children have been registered and 112 teachers have been identified. Primary and secondary schools in Ruhengeri are due to open on Monday, 19 September and schools in Gikingoro are scheduled to commence on 27 September. Education authorities in the various prefectures are asking for assistance in the rehabilitation of schools and procurement of educational materials. Many of the teachers currently receiving training are working without pay but are committed to the reintroduction of the education system.

SECURITY
--------

According to the UN, there are an estimated 50,000 anti-personnel mines in Rwanda. In a three-week period the NGO, Emergency (working out of Kigali Medical Hospital) treated 40 patients injured by mines. 35 percent of those treated were under the age of 14. An increase in mine injuries in Ruhengeri has caused the Canadian military to respond with a public information effort to raise the local population's awareness of the presence of the mines. GOAL has reported from the Byumba Prefecture that many roads remain unsafe for travel because of the large number of mines and booby traps in the area.

A 13 September UNAMIR advisory stated that NGOs in the South West should be accompanied by an armed escort because banditry remains a problems.

HUMAN RIGHTS
------------

At a press briefing on Tuesday, 13 September, Government representative, Major Wilson Rutayisire expressed dismay and frustration with the pace of the international community's response to the genocide that has taken place in Rwanda. When asked why the government felt that the issue must be addressed so rapidly, Major Rutayisire responded, "Justice delayed is justice denied". He said that the government has said it will wait for the international community and the UN before taking action, but in the meantime the people of Rwanda want to know why their government does not appear to be addressing this issue.

In a meeting between the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Ambassador Dillon and NGOs operating within Rwanda, a number of NGO representatives stressed their concern about the need to accelerate the UN's deployment of human rights monitors and investigators to Rwanda.

SOUTH-WEST
----------

The humanitarian community in Cyangugu is also working together on contingency plans in the event that large numbers of people decide to return from Zaire within a very short period of time.

UN Agencies and NGOs were introduced to the new Prefect of Cyangugu on 16 September.

A general meeting was held in Gikongoro. The Prefect of Gikongoro announced that all NGOs currently using government buildings should inform the Prefect so that a decision can be made regarding future use.

NORTH-WEST
----------

ICRC reported that the overall water supply for the Gisenyi area should be fully operational in the near future. Domestic electricity supply has been partially restored to Gisenyi town.

Provision and coverage of health care in the north-west is more than adequate at present. The overall medical coverage supplied by fixed health facilities has continued to increase: MSF-H has 11 clinics, SCF has 10 health clinics and AICF is operating a feeding centre in Ruhengeri. The main health problems are malaria and dysentery. There is a lack of skilled local medical staff for the reopening of health facilities.

An increase in mine injuries has been noted in the Ruhengeri area. The Canadian military have responded by increasing the general level of local awareness in the area through the distribution of pamphlets.

--------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA

Desk Officers: Deborah Saidy and Michael Gaouette
Direct Telephone: 788.7020 / 788.7019
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY - Telephone: (41 22) 917.2010
Press to contact: Ms Mounira Skandrani
Ms Skandrani Direct Telephone: (41 22) 917.3114
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
Fax: (41 22) 917 0023
Electronic Mail: DIALCOM 141 : DHAGVA

From: "Arthur R. McGee" 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 94 08:58:10 -0700
From: CMONTENE%UNICC.BITNET@CEARN.cern.ch
Subject: DHA-GENEVA SITREP

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

Previous Menu Home Page What's New Search Country Specific