The relocation of thousands of Congolese refugees from Nkamira Transit Center in Rubavu District in the Western Province to Nyabiheke refugee camp in Gatsibo District in the Eastern Province has begun on Tuesday May 7,2013.
48 families composed of 349 individuals were transferred on the first day and the exercise is continuing at a daily basis. A space to host around 3200 people in Nyabiheke Camp is ready while activities to avail more space are ongoing.
In the beginning of May 2013, about 10000 Congolese refugees were sheltered in Nkamira TC.
The relocation of Congolese refugees from Nkamira Transit Centre was stopped since January this year when Kigeme camp which was set to receive them got filled without any possibility for extension. However, the number of Congolese fleeing to Rwanda has accumulated, creating a serious congestion in Nkamira TC.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs resolved to extend Nyabiheke camp in order to respond to the issue of congestion in Nkamira TC which predominantly was established to receive Rwandan returnees with a limited reception capacity of 2600 people.
The relocation of Congolese refugees from Nkamira is also in line with the International convention related to refugees which stipulates that refugees should not stay near the border of the country they fled.
Nyabiheke refugee camp which is being extended to receive new incoming Congolese refugees harbours over 11,000 since 2005.