The government of the Republic of Rwanda recently started the permanent resettlement of over 5,000 Rwandan nationals who were evicted from Tanzania to different districts across Rwanda by early January 2014.
Rwanda launches relocation of Tanzania evicts
As the process was starting, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs permanent secretary, Antoine Ruvebana saw at least 269 persons belonging to 96 families resettle in Kicukiro, (101) Ngororero (73) and Nyarugenge (95), districts on January 3, 2014.
According to Antoine Ruvebana, about 5,000 people are currently living in the transit camps at Rukara and Kinazi in Kayonza and Kirehe districts are still pending for resettlement. The Secretary for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs in Rwanda Mr. Antoine Ruvebana was optimistic the relocation of the evicted people is expected to end by Mid January 2014. He further added that the government had completed a considerable task to locate the affected persons in different districts.
According to the Eastern Province governor Odette Uwamariya, the resettlement procedure valued freedom of movement and choice of area for displaced persons seeking to return to their original areas of residence.
Uwamariya further added that every persons chose districts where they wanted to settle. In fact, most of these people had roots in such places, so they enjoyed that fundamental right of choice. We hope they will quickly integrate in society and start living a better life as before!
Rwanda government cleared land in many different districts for the re-located of the displaced persons. The ministry is providing building materials while districts provide land for permanent integration.
UN agencies such as World Food Programme (WFP) and UNHCR shall continue to helping with basic necessities like food, medication, clean water and other basic needs for at least 3 months to enable these displaced people fully reintegrate.
History has it that over 14,500 Rwandans were displaced from Tanzania, of which 8,361 have already been reunited with their families across the country. This is a great achievement as the year 2014 begins. More updated will come as the year goes on.
