NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — Congolese refugees at Gihembe refugee camp in Kageyo Sector of Gicumbi district are selling their food donation so as that they can afford shopping for New Year.

The head of Gihembe refugees Gilbert Ntambara said that World Food Program supplies each member in a family with 10Kg of rice, 500grams of cooking oil, 1Kg of Soya flour, 5Kg of beans and 12Kg of dry maize to last them for a fortnight.

"Sugar, milk and Soap have not been supplied for a long time, which is the reason some refugees resort to selling part of their rations to buy milk, sugar and Soap”, said Ntambara.

They are currently selling different kinds of foodstuff ranging from rice, cooking oil supplied by USAID and Soya flour among others.

A narrow path leading to the refugee camp overlooking Ruyaga trading centre is the busiest business centre were refugees and the local population transact their businesses.
One sack of rice goes to Frw10, 000 whereas a 5 Liters of cooking oil is between Frw 3,500frw and Frw 4,000.

Some refugees own shops inside the camp that sell all sorts of merchandise, including BRALIRWA Products such as Primus and Mittzig.

Theophile Ndayisaba is one of the refugees, whose shop is packed to the top with sacks of rice, cooking oil, beverages and beer.

"Most refugees sell to me part of their rations to buy other necessities not supplied by World Food Program”, said Ndayisaba.

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