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Rwandan refugees

Aid Agencies Struggle to Cope with Rwandan Refugee Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Australian aid agencies, including Community Aid Abroad and CARE Australia, have joined the international effort to provide relief to the estimated 1.7 million Rwandan refugees in Zaire, but the situation remains dire. Aid workers speak of horrific conditions, disease on the increase, and a massive need for food, shelter, and medical supplies. The Australian Government and the United Nations are being called upon to provide more aid, as the situation is shaping up to be one of the worst humanitarian disasters in history.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1.7 million Rwandan refugees are in need of aid in Zaire, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.
  • Aid agencies are struggling to cope with the magnitude of the disaster, with many reporting that they are almost stretched to breaking point.
  • The biggest need is for food, material for shelter, and medical supplies, particularly saline drip material and oral rehydration salts for cholera.
  • Aid workers are reporting horrific conditions, including bodies lying in the streets and a high incidence of disease, including dehydration, dysentery, and diarrhoea.
  • The UN estimates that refugees require at least 30 million litres of water per day and over 600 metric tonnes of food per day.
  • Aid agencies, including CARE Australia and Community Aid Abroad, are calling for more government and UN support to alleviate the suffering.
  • Donations can be sent to various agencies, including Austcare, Red Cross, CARE Australia, World Vision, and Australian Catholic Relief.

Statistics:

  • 1.7 million Rwandan refugees are in need of aid in Zaire, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda.
  • 30 million litres of water per day are required by refugees.
  • 600 metric tonnes of food per day are required by refugees.
  • 400,000 people are to be provided with health services in a healthcare clinic.
  • 1 million people are estimated to be living in harsh conditions in Goma.

Sources:

  • CARE Australia: Phoebe Fraser, CARE Australia aid worker in Zaire.
  • Community Aid Abroad: Ian Harris, national director of CARE Australia; Mr Jerermy Hobbs, executive director of Community Aid Abroad.
  • Austcare: Dr Robyn Groves, external relations officer of the UNHCR.
  • World Vision Australia: Mr Philip Hunt, chief executive of World Vision Australia.
  • Australian Catholic Relief: Mr Jack de Groot, executive officer of Australian Catholic Relief.
  • Red Cross: Australian Red Cross Rwanda Appeal.

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