KIGALI, Rwanda, Oct 12 (NNN-XINHUA) – Rwanda received 123 African refugees and asylum-seekers, who have been living in Libya’s detention centres.
As the second group evacuated to Rwanda, following another 66 who arrived on Sept 27, the refugees landed at Kigali International Airport at 11:30 p.m. (2130 GMT) and were then transported to Gashora transit centre.
The evacuation is an act of securing lives, Barbara Bentum-Williams Dotse, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) deputy representative to Rwanda, made the remark, after receiving the refugees at the airport.
Some evacuated refugees will be processed for resettlement to other countries, said the UN refugee agency, adding that, others will be helped with alternative options, including returning to countries where they were previously granted asylum, returning home if they agree, or remaining as refugees in Rwanda.
“The refugees arrived safely in Rwanda and are now being accommodated at Gashora transit centre. Repatriation and resettlement are being identified,” Olivier Kayumba, permanent secretary of Rwanda’s Ministry of Emergency Management, told Xinhua.
“Rwanda is committed to providing shelter, safety and security, to vulnerable refugees, evacuated from detention centres in Libya,” said Kayumba.
The UNHCR last month said, it provided accommodation, food and water, as well as, daily items at the centre, adding that, nine health professionals, including a psychologist and a team of counsellors will help the evacuees with trauma caused in Libya.
The Rwandan government said, it will receive 500 African refugees and asylum-seekers from Libyan detention centres, after the signing of a memorandum of understanding, to set up a transit mechanism for evacuating refugees and asylum-seekers out of Libya.
The MoU was signed by the Rwandan government, the UNHCR, and the African Union in Addis Ababa.
Libya has become a preferred departure point for illegal migrants hoping to cross the Mediterranean Sea into Europe, due to insecurity and chaos in the North African country, following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader, Muammar Gaddafi.– NNN-XINHUA