The Government has scaled up relief services at the main reception point for thousands of fleeing Burundians who continue to stream into Rwanda.

By press time yesterday, up to 23,000 Burundians had crossed into Rwanda, mainly through the Kamabuye border in Bugesera District as pre-poll violence back home showed no signs of abetting.

At least six people are reported to have lost their lives in the capital Bujumbura in violent clashes with police following Saturday’s endorsement of President Pierre Nkurunziza as his ruling party’s flag bearer in the June poll, a move many say is unconstitutional.

And, the drastic surge in numbers of the arrivals in Rwanda has now forced government to set up more facilities at the temporary holding centre in Gashora, Bugesera, including health services, and increasing the number of refugees transported each day from the transit centre to Mahama in Kirehe District to 1500, up from 600.

The decision was taken during Sunday’s emergency meeting of members of the national disaster management and refugee affairs committee.

Officials estimate that an average of 3,000 Burundians are arriving in Rwanda every day, prompting concerns about the number of refugees soon surpassing the capacity of Mahama refugee camp, which can hold no more than 50,000 people, according to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs.

"In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, services like vaccination and monitoring of possible contagious diseases will be re-enforced to prevent possible health emmergencies,” Frederic Ntawukuriryayo, Communication Officer at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (Midmar), said.

The livestock brought in by the refugees will be quarantined and managed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

"Capacity to construct shelters in Mahama camp was also increased to make sure that at least 1,500 refugees are relocated on a daily basis.”

The government and the UNHCR are reportedly increasing the capacity to evacuate more refugees from the transit centres to the new permanent base of Mahama in Kirehe district.

Mahama camp, which is on a 50 hectare precinct, can ably accommodate 50,000 people and is being "progressively constructed.” It is located about 160 kilometers away from the Rwanda-Burundi border.

Ntawukuriryayo said that if the refugee numbers go over 50,000, the government will discuss with the international community on finding an alternative hosting country.

"At that stage, Rwanda can offer a humanitarian corridor for refugees but the UNHCR may find another country. The real decision will be taken when we reach that point,” Ntawukuriryayo added.

Last week, the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana, said that given the continuing influx, government asked partners such as UNHCR to be prepared should the numbers reach 50,000 which would be beyond Rwanda’s holding capacity.

On Friday, government announced the decision to grant the arriving Burundian refugees prima facie refugee status, citing standard procedure in case of massive refugee invasions as per the Rwandan law relating to refugees and the 1951 Convention relating to refugees.

The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees is the key legal international document in defining who is a refugee, their rights and the legal obligations of states.

The decision to grant the Burundians prima facie status was taken considering the overwhelming number of Burundians who continue to trek into the country seeking refuge.

UNHCR Rwanda said it was concerned at the sharp increase in arrivals.

"Just over the weekend, over 5,000 refugees arrived from Burundi. As of now UNHCR continues to erect and run shelter, wash and health facilities, distribute essential non-food items, and ensure protection in the reception centres and at the new camp Mahama, with its partners,” Martina Pomeroy, external relations officer UNHCR Rwanda said.

"But the number of refugees fleeing just keeps growing.

The refugees say they are escaping from political instability back home linked to the insecurity caused by a simmering election fever ahead of forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections.

They say they are fleeing from Imbonerakure (Kirundi word literally meaning "those that see far”), a youth wing of Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defence of Democracy-Forces for Defence and Democracy (CNDD-FDD), which allegedly harassing and attacking members of opposition political parties.

At least six people have been killed in street clashes between the police and civilians demonstrating against the Burundian President’s bid for a third term, reports said on Monday.

This comes following protests that started in Bujumbura on Sunday, a day after president Pierre Nkurunziza was nominated as CNDD-FDD flag bearer in the polls set for end June.

The disaster management committee comprises the ministries of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Local Government, Health, DefenCe, Agriculture, East African Community (EAC) affairs, Foreign Affairs, Infrastructure, Finance, the military, and the police.

Rwanda is already home to more than 73,000 Congolese refugees settled in five camps in various parts of the country.

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