UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
DHA-GENEVA SITREP, NO.59

DHA-GENEVA SITREP, NO.59

 
                             RWANDA
                        CIVIL DISTURBANCE
           DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 59
                         2 November 1994
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         Information for this report is provided by the
              UN Rwanda Emergency Office in Kigali
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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, FAO, IOM, UNAMIR, USAID-DART, US-JTF and NGOs.

GENERAL SUMMARY
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Several tents in Birambo IDP camp have been burnt down after the 29 October deadline for closing down this and other camps in Kibuye Prefecture.

The First National Health Needs Assessment Workshop sponsored by UNICEF from 24-28 October closed with a number of recommendations for health care in Rwanda.

SECURITY
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UNAMIR reports that in Rutagara, near the Zaire border, three families comprising 36 people were massacred on the night of 30/31 October. Four men, six women and 26 children were killed in the attack. In Kigali, automatic and single shot small fire was heard during the night of 31 October 1994.

REFUGEES
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A Tripartite Agreement on the repatriation of Rwandese refugees was signed between the Government of Rwanda, the Government of Zaire and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Agreement sets up a legal framework which enables the signatories to combine their efforts in resolving the repatriation problem. Within the first fortnight of November, a sub-committee will meet in Goma to work out some modalities and practical means to achieve the goals stipulated in the Agreement.

On 25-26 October 1994, a delegation of Rwandese Ministers went to Burundi to visit refugee camps and discuss the prospects of repatriation of refugees with their Burundian counterparts.

UNHCR reports that the Prime Minister of Rwanda is expected to soon visit Tanzania to consult with President Ali Hassan Mwinyi about the Rwandese refugee issue in Tanzania. A Swiss Aid worker was attacked by bandits and sustained minor machete wounds in Bukavu on 27 October 1994.

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE
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IDPs in Rugabano camp, Kibuye Prefecture, were removed on 29 October. 3,000 of them returned to their homes in that Prefecture. 300 who have remained there are still waiting for transport to Kigali.

UNAMIR reports that some tents have been burnt down in Birambo camp, Kibuye Prefecture, because some people had remained in this camp which was, along with Rugabano camp officially closed on 29 October 1994. In Muko camp in Gikongoro Prefecture several tents belonging to IDPs from Kibuye were burnt down on 1 November 1994.

At the weekly IDP meeting, it was agreed that a joint delegation of UNHCR, UNAMIR and UNREO would go to Kibungo on Wednesday, 2 November 1994 to work on the IDP test case in order to assess the practical implications at the field level. In the next meeting, the test case will be discussed with regards to preparatory arrangements, liaison requirements, Government involvement and the role of separate UN Agencies and NGOs so as to arrive at a workable return strategy for IDPs in the whole country.

SECTORAL ACTIVITY
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REHABILITATION

The UNDP Resident Representatives in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire met in Kigali on 29-30 October 1994 to discuss the impact of the Rwanda conflict on the subregion and explore ways to coordinate the policies of UNDP offices in the neighbouring countries with regards to dealing with the conflict. The meeting covered the following issues:

     -    Impact of the Rwanda crisis;
     -    UNDP's role in emergency preparedness;
     -    Transition  from  relief  to  rehabilitation  and development;
     -    Operational aspects;
     -    Development of a sub - regional coordination mechanism.
 
The conclusion of the meeting focused on the need for closer coordination among all Agencies involved in dealing with emergency and post-emergency situation and on the need for better preparedness and more effective backstopping of field offices by headquarters.

On 31 October-1 November, UNICEF held a sub-regional conference of country representatives from Rwanda, surrounding countries and of Regional Office officials to reflect on experience and cooperation to-date. In addition, the development of the new UNICEF programme proposal for the 1995 inter-agency appeal was discussed.

FOOD

WFP has launched a Food Stamp Programme. This has been developed in response to a Government request for General Feeding Programmes for the population of Kigali. The Food Stamp Programme focuses on the improvement of the nutritional status of vulnerable individuals, which include the mentally and physically handicapped, the elderly, single parent families with more than three "under seven" malnourished children and foster families who care for one or more unaccompanied children. The programme also provides short-term food assistance to returnees in the Kigali area.

In Kibungo, WFPs short-term provision of food for prisoners is now established. It has been monitored by ICRC. The programme was established upon ICRC's request due to the serious food shortages at Kibungo prison.

HEALTH

During the period 24-28 October 1994, thirty participants including senior officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives from other ministries, UN Agencies and NGOs attended the First National Health Needs Assessment Workshop which was sponsored by UNICEF. They discussed the health problems of the country, its priorities, policy strategies and what future intervention will be required.

Recommendations were divided into two phases: Emergency and Short-term, Middle and Long-term. Within the Emergency phase, some of the recommendations were as follows:

1. Establishment of a list of needs;

2. Identification of resources and their orientation based on the prioritised needs;

3. Assurance of the coordination of UN Agencies and NGOs, as well as bilateral cooperation agencies;

4. Reinforcement of Regional Administration;

5. Determination and development of guidelines for health activities;

6. Development of a proposed salary scale for NGOs in order to assure reliable staffing.

For the Middle and Long-term phase some of the recommendations were as follows:

1. Development of a national health policy;

2. Acceleration of the actions of UNICEF's partners aimed at rehabilitating the health system at all levels;

3. The reinforcement of the initial and continual training of health personnel at all levels and examination, along with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, on ways and means of integrating the paramedical training institutions

within the Ministry of Health; 4. Adoption of a national pharmaceutical policy;

5. Reinforcement of documentation services of the Ministry of Health;

6. Establishment of means for intersectorial coordination and to ensure its efficiency.

The 31 October Sitrep reported that a team of 8 from IMC will soon begin work at the Kibungo Hospital. In fact, IMC has been operating in the Kibungo area since June 1994. They have had a medical team at the Kibungo hospital throughout this period and have been instrumental in reopening numerous health clinics in the area.

TRANSPORT

In cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Customs, WFP has arranged, through a Food for Work project, for a customs officer to be placed at the Rusumo border point, Kibungo Prefecture. This is the second border entry point to open to enable humanitarian cargo to be customs cleared at entry point rather than having to travel to Magerwa, near Kigali or Butare. This service is available to all humanitarian cargo and can be arranged by contacting the WFP officer at Gatuna or Rusumo. Arrangements can also be made by contacting the Transport Coordination Unit directly.

The Transport Coordination Unit has started a service which provides information on road conditions throughout the country. This will enable convoys to have information on road conditions ahead of time and be able to arrange to detour problem areas. UN Agencies and NGOs are asked to contact the TCU with any information they may be able to provide to add to the existing collected information.

WATER AND SANITATION

UNICEF has agreed with the Ministry of Public Works/Electrogaz to support the repair of the Jabana Power Station, as well as the repair of power lines in and around Kigali. In addition, UNICEF has officially notified the Ministry of Public Works (MINITRAPE) that USD 2 million have been set aside for the rehabilitation of the national grid in Rwanda. In addition, USD 30,000 have been made available to rehabilitate MINITRAPE offices.

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

ICRC opened its office in Kibungo on 1 November 1994. Their work will entail facilitating the Red Cross messages "mail" system. Currently ICRC has some 15,000 unaccompanied children registered in their computerized "mail list". The Kibungo office will add to the list and facilitate messages to/from registered names.

CHILD SOLDIERS

UNICEF is in the process of completing a project proposal with the Ministry of Defense for the demobilization of boy soldiers and for their subsequent education and vocational training. The project will continue into 1995.

OTHER INFORMATION

The ECHO flight coordinator, Mr Barry Atkins announced at the UN/NGO general meeting on 1 November that ECHO flights will now be available to NGOs and UN Agencies free of charge four days a week. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, a seven-seater aircraft will be available. An Antonov aircraft will be used on Sunday. Anyone wanting to transport cargo needs to book it in Nairobi. Additional information can be obtained at the third green tent on the lawn in front of the UNDP building in Kigali.

 
 
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DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA
 
DHA Contacts: Deborah Saidy and Michael Gaouette
Direct Telephone: 788.7020 / 788.7019
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ONLY - Telephone: (41 22) 917.2010
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Ms Skandrani Direct Telephone: (41 22) 917.3114
Telex: 414242 DHA CH
Fax: (41 22) 917 0023
Electronic Mail: DIALCOM 141 : DHAGVA




Message-Id: <199411031707.MAA17664@ipe.cc.vt.edu>
Date:Thu, 3 Nov 1994 09:08:07 -0800
From: "Arthur R. McGee" 
Subject: DHA-GENEVA SITREP VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL (fwd)

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

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