Returnees continue to arrive from DRC

UNHCR has registered 4,750 Rwandan returnees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Gisenyi since 21 March 1999. The returnees were quoted as saying they were tired of living in hiding, that their relatives informed them the situation Rwanda was safe, and because there had been large sensitisation campaigns in Masisi and Rutshuru by authorities and clergy of the DRC and Rwanda. Local authorities are using the former vocational training centre in Gisenyi as a temporary transit centre, a UNHCR statement received by IRIN said. UNHCR has been requested to rehabilitate Nkamira transit facility which has larger capacity to accommodate returnees. The NGO, Fondation Pinganayi Aide Humanitaire (FPAH), said that there are still a number of Rwandan refugees in the forests who are coming out "little by little. "FPAH believes they want to return home because they no longer receive any assistance," UNHCR said. FPAH added that the local population in eastern DRC is itself displaced and in no position to help.