RWANDA: UNHCR launches refugee census

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

KIGALI, 25 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The UN agency, UNHCR, announced on Thursday the launch of a census in Rwanda to gather accurate data on numbers, ages, gender, skills, professions and places of origin of refugees in their home countries.

"Having an accurate database helps us better plan our operations," Emile Belem, a UNHCR programme officer, was quoted saying in a statement released by the agency.

The agency said it would also collect data on professional and educational background essential for the voluntarily repatriated refugees. This, it said, would allow for planning of reintegration programmes.

At the end of the census, it said, the Rwandan government would issue all refugees with an attestation and identification card.

The census, expected to last two week, is being jointly undertaken by the government, UNHCR, the World Food Programme, the UN Children's Fund; the German Technical Cooperation, GTZ; African Humanitarian Action, American Refugee Committee, Jesuit Refugee Service, and Save the Children UK.

According the latest UNHCR statistics, there are almost 52,000 refugees in camps and transit centres in Rwanda; 44,000 of whom originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 7,000 from Burundi. Eighty-five percent of all refugees in Rwanda are women and children.

Most of the Congolese refugees arrived in Rwanda in 1996 and have been living in three main camps: Gihembe and Nyabiheke in Byumba Province, and Kiziba in Kibuye Province. Most Burundian refugees arrived during the last 12 months and are in three sites in the southern district of Butare.

[ENDS]