UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report No. 45

DHA-Geneva Daily Information Report No. 45

 
                             RWANDA
                        CIVIL DISTURBANCE
           DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 45
                         1 October 1994
 
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         Information for this report is provided by the
              UN Rwanda Emergency Office in Kigali
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DHA-GENEVA 94/0337
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This sitrep is produced three times every week. 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.

GENERAL SUMMARY
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The overall situation is described as calm.

The returnee movement "Operation Homeward" resumed, Thursday, 29 September, after a one day suspension.

One female returnee was killed in accident when one truck in a five-truck convoy overturned near Cyangugu.

REFUGEE MOVEMENT/DISPLACED PERSONS
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UNAMIR reports that an estimated 75 percent of the population in the northeast (sector 5) have returned to their homes.

UNAMIR also reports that approximately 1,800 people have crossed into Burundi from Gitarama and Butare in the last few days.

The returnee movement for internally displaced persons "Operation Homeward" resumed Thursday, 29 September, with the movement of 110 returnees from Gikongoro. The majority of people in Thursday's convoy were spontaneous returnees and had not been previously registered by UNHCR. The next convoy is scheduled to leave on Monday, 3 October.

In another returnee convoy from Cyangugu, a woman was killed and 16 others wounded when a truck overturned. The accident occurred at Sagasha, approximately 15 kilometres out of Cyangugu. The convoy carried on to Kigali after medical attention was provided.

The British contingent of UNAMIR has estimated the population of displaced people in Rwanda as of 26 September as follows:

     Sector             Region         Population Estimate
     -----------------------------------------------------
     1                  northeast                  290,000
     2                  southeast                  142,000
     3                  central south              434,000
     4a                 southwest                  775,360
     4b                 southwest                   51,000
     4c                 southwest                   74,500
     5                  northwest                  182,000
     unlocated camps                                18,100
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     TOTAL                                       1,967,760
 

This estimate compares with their previous estimate from 14 September of 2,085,949. Copies of the Britcon report are available from UNREO. Britcon is asking NGOs and Agencies working in the camps to help update their figures.

REHABILITATION
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UNDP has been asked by the Rwandese Prime Minister to assist the Government in preparing a Round Table Conference for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The Government is anxious to hold the Round Table before the end of the year, preferably in New York. The conference will present an opportunity for the Government to present to the donor community its rehabilitation and reconstruction programme and seek their support in funding and implementation.

The UNDP Acting Resident Representative for Rwanda officially made the first of what will be a number of contributions of basic essential equipment required by the Government. The vehicles, generators and office equipment donated this week are intended for the office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Faustin Twagiramungu and five other key ministries to help them strengthen their management and institutional capacities.

EDUCATION
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UNICEF reports that at least 10 schools have opened around the country.

Campaigns in mine awareness and cholera awareness will be launched by UNICEF on 4 October and mid-October respectively. The materials for both campaigns complement the Teacher's Emergency package which is part of the overall "Education for Peace" campaign. The campaigns will feature both broadcast and print materials which will be disseminated throughout the country.

UNICEF is providing up to USD 300,000 worth of broadcasting equipment to Radio Rwanda to allow the station to function effectively. The co-operation is to improve the development and dissemination of messages of peace, human rights, health, sanitation and nutrition education.

FOOD SUPPLY
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WFP has reported that although donor response to the Rwanda Regional Crisis is encouraging with confirmed pledges as of 19 September totalling 247,533 MTs valued at USD 141,087,567 million there is still a shortfall which must be covered if WFP is to carry out its mandate effectively. Priority food resources needs for the region for the month of October are 16,055 MTs of cereals, pulses, corn soya blend, salt, dried skimmed milk and sugar. 21,255 MTs of commodities, mainly cereals, are needed for November; for December 38,885 MTs of food aid will be required.

In a food coordination meeting held on Wednesday, 28 September WFP indicated that it wished to initiate various food assistance programmes which would include a Food-for-Work programme for school teachers, a programme to set up nutritional centres as well as a primary school feeding programme. WFP is also planning seed distribution in Butare and Gitarama. WFP noted that it did not have the capacity to undertake these activities alone and requested support from Agencies/NGOs.

AGRICULTURE
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UNICEF has completed its harvesting activities for the season. It has assisted the Government in harvesting 25 percent of this season's crop, mainly beans and sorghum, by providing trucks and other technical support.

FAO is bringing a television crew to Kigali on 1 October to film the first phase of an agricultural rehabilitation programme. The crew will film the various stages of the seeds and tools distribution programme, from the planning meeting through to collection by the farmers.

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS
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Save the Children-UK and WFP have proposed a system to ensure a balanced distribution of WFP food stores among all children's centres. They are recommending that one NGO take charge of food transport and distribution in each prefecture.

CARE-Australia has a proposal for active recruitment of foster families for unaccompanied minors in Rwanda. This type of programme is already under way in the Katale camp in Zaire.

OTHER INFORMATION
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Access to Kigali airstrip will become more tightly controlled as from 3 October. Only those with operational duties on the airstrip will be allowed access.

The exchange rate for the Rwandese Franc has changed against the dollar, moving from 350 in Kigali two months ago to 200 and lower as of 29 September.

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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: Sat, 1 Oct 94 08:23:20 -0700
From: CMONTENE%UNICC.BITNET@CEARN.cern.ch
Subject: DHA-GENEVA SITREP VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

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