Rwanda's Exile: A Humanitarian Crisis on an Epic Scale

A massive influx of refugees is sweeping across Zaire's border city of Goma, with estimates suggesting that up to 1.4 million people have fled the civil war in Rwanda. The Australian government and aid agencies are preparing to join an international relief operation, with a draft aid package of at least $2 million to help those in need. The situation is dire, with reports of a rapidly rising death toll and dire conditions, including a lack of food, water, shelter, and sanitation. Aid agencies believe that an operation similar to the Berlin airlift after World War II will be needed to provide relief.

Key Takeaways:

• Up to 1.4 million Rwandan refugees have fled to Zaire, joining a growing tide of humanity near the city of Goma.
• The Australian government is preparing to join an international relief operation, with a draft aid package of at least $2 million.
• Reports suggest that hundreds of thousands more refugees are heading towards Zaire at points further south.
• Aid agencies estimate that about 20,000 tonnes of food per month will be required to feed those refugees already in Zaire.
• CARE Australia has been appointed by the United Nations to manage a camp for at least 500,000 refugees in Zaire.
• The director of CARE Australia, Mr Ian Harris, reports that many refugees are collapsing on the roads and in the camps, and outbreaks of dysentery and cholera are claiming lives.
• The Australian Opposition has accused the government of a "scandalous" delay in responding to the crisis.
• The Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Bilney, expects to announce additional aid packages by the end of the week.

Statistics:

• 1.4 million Rwandan refugees have fled to Zaire (according to Australian officials)
• 15,000 people an hour are crossing the border in the Goma area (according to reports received by Australian officials)
• 20,000 tonnes of food per month will be required to feed refugees in Zaire (estimated by the Red Cross)
• $1.5 million has been allocated to the Rwandan crisis since April (according to the Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Bilney)
• $2 million is expected to be allocated by the end of the week (according to the Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr Bilney)

Sources:

• The Age: "Rwandan exodus: A people on the run to nowhere"
• Mr Bilney, Minister for Development Cooperation
• Mr Robert Denny, Red Cross delegate in Goma
• Mr Ian Harris, Director of CARE Australia
• The Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Andrew Peacock