| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
RWANDA
CIVIL DISTURBANCE
DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 60
4 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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UNHCR has expressed grave concern over the RPA's recent brand of
forced removal of IDPs from camps in the south-west
A notable number of businesses are now open in Kigali, including gas stations, stores and restaurants. In addition, regular water supply is now available to 75 per cent of the city.
SECURITY
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In Sector 3, there are UNAMIR reports of local vigilant groups
organizing themselves against militia and bandit attacks.
UNAMIR reports that RPA presence is particularly strong in north-west Rwanda (Sector 5). They have recently increased patrol activities and have also asked locals to move 1 km inside the country from the border line. The RPA continues to conduct patrols and mount road blocks throughout the country.
An international staff member of CONCERN was arrested and was still being held as of 3 November for striking a plain clothes gendarme at the UNHCR way station in Kigali. A UNHCR staff person was also arrested during the altercation, but has since been released.
Two journalists who were arrested by the RPA on 27 October were released on 3 November. The journalists work for the Associated Press and were arrested for making an unauthorized documentary on the Twa and also for asking questions on RPA deployment.
A number of sources report that clashes in the Burundi province of Cibitoke have caused over 30,000 Rwandan refugees to flee from Burundi into the Zairian town of Uvira.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
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An IDP Task Force comprising representatives from the Ministry of
Rehabilitation, UNAMIR, UNHCR and UNREO visited Kibungo on 2 and
4 November and to do needs assessments in three communes in
Kibungo prefecture, which had been identified as returnee
test-case areas. The Task Force seeks to prioritize needs in
areas of return, solicit NGO assistance in meeting these needs,
and closely work with the local authorities in the integration of
returnees. The task force strategy focuses on the shift of
assistance programmes from the camps to the community.
UNHCR has expressed grave concern over the RPA's recent trend of forced removal of IDPs from camps in the south-west.
The UNREO Field Office in Gikongoro reports that the situation in the southern camps, especially in Kibeho, is very tense. On 3 November, Operation Homeward was not moving people to Gitarama because of the security situation. Operation Homeward did, however, move 600 returnees from Gikongoro to the Butare area on November.
HUMAN RIGHTS
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There is an upcoming visit of the UN Under-Secretary-General for
Legal Affairs, Mr Hans Corell. The purpose of his visit is to
explain the draft resolution on the International Tribunal.
SECTORAL INFORMATION
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REHABILITATION
At the request of the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Social Integration, CWA/LWF plans to assist the government and UNHCR with repatriation of refugees and with rehabilitation of communal infrastructure. CWA/LWF has opened a project office in Kibungo to be headed by Project Coordinator Ulrich Lind.
HEALTH
A WHO consultant has arrived in Rwanda at the request of the Ministry of Health. The consultant will support local authorities by assessing the nutritional situation within the country, assessing the existing resources to be mobilized for a nutritional survey, revitalizing the nutritional surveillance system, and aiding the Ministry of Health to define nutritional policies.
WHO is supporting the Ministry of Work and Social Affairs to dispose of body parts surfacing in the Bicumbi area (eastern Kigali prefecture) by providing technical guidelines for the proper disposal of human remains, as well as equipment and supplies. WHO had requested that the Ministry assess the scale of the problem nationwide and report back with their results.
Two meetings took place in Kigali and Nairobi last week in order to coordinate the on-going and future activities of WHO in Rwanda and surrounding refugees camps. A close relationship between field workers and coordinators was identified as a key factor for effective response.
The NGO Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) is engaged in assessing and determining the actual extent of the psycho-social crisis in two communes. Its community-based programmes are assisting displaced and returnee women to cope with psycho-social trauma caused by the war and to provide them with reproductive health care. The programmes are being supported by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).
WATER AND SANITATION
UNICEF is presently undertaking an assessment of water systems in north-east Rwanda as the basis for further assistance to refugee resettlement activities.
At the weekly water/sanitation meeting Electrogaz reported that 75 per cent of Kigali has regular water supply and that plans are under way to ensure adequate supply to the remaining 25 per cent.
AGRICULTURE
At the weekly meeting on agricultural issues, the issue was raised as to whether or not cattle owners should make minimal contributions to cover the cost of vaccinating their livestock. FAO and a number of NGOs expressed concern that some of the cattle owners would not be able to pay. Large numbers of cattle recently entering from Uganda, Burundi and Zaire pose a significant threat of disease to livestock. FAO will be coordinating NGO activities related to the livestock situation.
FOOD
WFP reports that its priority food needs and programmes for the Rwanda Emergency are being drafted and will be ready by mid-November, 1994.
CHILDREN
ICRC reports that it has registered 25,000 unaccompanied children but that so far only 100 have been reunited with their families.
A UNICEF study reports that there is a very high percentage of children who have been exposed to war atrocities. More than half of the children interviewed witnessed family member being killed and 75 per cent of the group witnessed others being killed.
DEMINING
Ambassador Khan recently appealed to the international community to fund a UNAMIR demining project. It is estimated that 2 to 3 children are injured each day by mines. Five British soldiers were recently wounded by mine while repairing a bridge near Kigali. Mines also continue to hamper efforts to rehabilitate water systems in north-east Rwanda.
OTHER INFORMATION
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Action Nord Sud and Handicap International organized a festival
to benefit war orphans. The festival will take place on 5 and 6
November at the Nyamirambo Regional Stadium.
As of 1 November, there are 8 organisations offering flights that connect Kigali to Nairobi, Goma, Bukavu and Brussels.
A notable number of businesses are now open in Kigali, including gas stations, stores and restaurants. At the city market food, textiles and household goods are available.
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DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA
DHA Contact: Deborah Saidy 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 Message-Id: <199411080018.TAA35006@ipe.cc.vt.edu> Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 16:18:26 -0800 From: "Arthur R. McGee"
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