BUGESERA DISTRICT, Rwanda, 22 April – UNFPA has donated dignity kits for Burundian asylum seekers at a reception camp in Bugesera District in the Eastern Province.
Over the past two weeks, the Government of Rwanda has received thousands of asylum seekers from neighbouring Burundi, who have apparently fled pre-election violence. The country is preparing for parliamentary elections on 26 May and presidential elections a month later.
Each dignity kit contains basic necessities for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. UNFPA also delivered 36,000 male and 2000 female condoms for the refugees.
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“I am very happy to receive this donation,” said Cesarie Mukamukama, health supervisor of the reception camp and African Humanitarian Action staff member. “I was very worried about the basic needs for expecting and new mothers.” There were over 200 hundred pregnant women in the camp and seven babies had been born to asylum seekers in the past two weeks, she said.
Jean Paul Habineza, a nurse stationed at the camp, said UNFPA’s donation would help improve the health and hygiene of mothers and babies. He commended UNFPA for supplying condoms as well, citing increasing demand for them within the camp. The condoms will help prevent unwanted pregnancies among young people and couples, and help stem the spread of HIV. There is an overwhelming demand for reproductive health services, such as family planning, yet the camp does not have facilities to offer those services, he said.
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UNFPA Representative Jozef Maerien said UNFPA and the UN family were committed to offering assistance to the Government of Rwanda to ensure the welfare of the asylum seekers.
Rising numbers
Camp manager Azarie Karangwa said the number of Burundians housed at the camp was 7118 people and this was expected to increase. “We receive at least three hundred asylum seekers every day,” he said. The Government was preparing a larger camp in Kirehe District, to which all asylum seekers would be taken, he added.
By David Ssekyanzi
