Hosting influx of refugee arrivals from DRC at new transit site in Rwanda

Alongside the Government of Rwanda and partners including UNICEF, ADRA, Save the Children, World Vision and WFP, UNHCR is developing a new site at Nkamira in Northern Rwanda to host new arrivals from DRC. ; Between the end of November 2022 and beginning of January 2023, Rwanda has received almost 3,000 new refugee arrivals fleeing fighting in Eastern DRC. Due to the increasing numbers, UNHCR and the Government of Rwanda alongside partners are developing a new transit site at Nkamira in Northern Rwanda around 20km from the border with DRC. As of 19 January, Nkamira was accommodating 653 of the new arrivals with more people due to be transferred to the site as construction progresses.

Region: Africa

Country: Rwanda

Year: 2023

Shelter: RHU

Project size: 0-50

Modality: Transit centres

Sector: Health, Protection

Partner: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Support: Capacity Building

Between November 2022 and January 2023, about 3,000 refugees have fled violence from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ten years ago, it was reported that the largely Congolese refugee camps in Rwanda were declared at full capacity. With consistent cross border migration since then, UNHCR along with partners, built a new transit complex at the Nkamira site.

“We made it. We came to Rwanda because it is more secure than back home. I only came with the clothes we were wearing. It is not possible to carry a bag of our possessions when someone is running after you.”

Amina, Congolese refugee who arrived in Rwanda with her young son

Along with UNHCR, participating organisations included the government of Rwanda, UNICEF, ADRA, Save the Children, World Vision and World Food Programme, who contributed to the construction of the transit site to increase reception capacity and to provide protection services. Two RHUs were installed at the site to support health services.