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Security concern in refugee camps

    NAIROBI

    UNHCR has approached the Rwandan authorities to improve safety in and around the Gihembe and Kiziba camps housing some 32,000 Congolese refugees, after disturbing reports of assaults on women and girls, UNHCR's mid-year progress report, newly-posted on its website [www.unhcr.ch/fdrs/my99/toc.htm], has stated. "Recent reports of protection incidents (sexual violence against refugee women and the abduction of young girls) led UNHCR to intervene with both civilian and military authorities to advocate for improved security," it stated. The Rwandan government has also assured UNHCR that it would be able to
    register the refugee population in the two camps in the near future, the report stated.

    UNHCR has also reported some difficulty in assuring suitable living conditions for about 600 Burundi refugees in Kigeme camp. "Even though improvements have been made, conditions are not up to the desired standard" and the agency was continuing to push the issue with the Rwandan government, the report stated. UNHCR would continue to organise cross-border visits for Burundian refugees in Rwanda, and Rwandan refugees in Burundi, "to enable them to make a more informed decision regarding voluntary repatriation," it added.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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