Visit to Mahama Refugee Camp (27th October, 2015)
On 27th October, Ambassador Ota visited Mahama Refugee Camp in Kirehe District, Eastern Province to check the situation of Burundian refugees in Rwanda. At the Camp, Dr. Saber Azam, Representative of UNHCR Rwanda, and other officials from various organizations briefed on such issues as the living conditions of the refugees, medical conditions, education to refugee children, and livelihood of the refugees.
Since the middle of March this year, more than 70,000 Burundians have fled from their country into Rwanda due to political instability in Burundi. Among them, about 45,000 refugees stay at Mahama Refugee Camp.
Ambassador Ota pointed out that humanitarian assistance needs to be provided to these Burundian refugees and it is also important to consider providing assistance that will help them live self-sufficiently in the long run.
(Left: Landscape of the Camp, Right: Ambassador Ota talking with a refugee)
(Left: Patients waiting for treatment at the health center, Right: Semi-permanent houses under construction)
(Market established by the refugees)