Burundi refugees at the Mahama refugee camp, Rwanda
The German government has donated Euros 2 million to support Burundian refugees living in camps in Tanzania and Rwanda.
Rwanda will recieve half of this donation (Euro 1 million) to cater for welfare of Burundian refugees currently hosted in the country, according to the World Food Program (WFP).
“WFP is now able to continue providing food to children, pregnant and breastfeeding women in refugee camps, thanks to the German contribution,” said Jean-Pierre de Margerie, WFP Rwanda Country Director and Representative.
According to WFP, US$10 million (Rwf 850 billion) is needed between December and April 2018 to meet its food needs in Rwanda, if extra funding does not come forward, the UN food body may be compelled to cut down its rations further.
More than 87,000 Burundians were forced to flee to Rwanda since 2015 due to political turmoil sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza seeking the third term.
Out of 55,000 Burundian refugees found a home at Mahama camp located in Kirehe District in the Eastern Province.
In May 2017, WFP received US $ 1.446 million funding from the Government of Japan which was used to purchase food items.
In 2016, Rwanda spent US $ 94 million on around 75,000 Burundians who sought refuge in Rwanda soil.
