MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce Australia will provide $1 million to the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the emergency repatriation of
Rwandan refugees from Zaire.
The condition of up to 100 000 refugees in the area south of Kisangani has
become desperate. Up to 120 refugees are dying each day and aid workers fear a
major humanitarian catastrophe.
Following an agreement with Zairean rebels on April 5, the UNHCR is urgently
finalising plans to airlift the most vulnerable refugees from the Kisangani area
to Goma. It is hoped those most in need - such as those requiring urgent medical
attention - will be flown out in the next few days.
With only four small planes currently at its disposal, the UNHCR will be able
to airlift approximately 1500 people a day only. In an effort to accelerate the
repatriation program, the UNHCR is attempting to secure an agreement with
Zairean rebel leaders for the establishment of overland transport corridors.
Separate negotiations are also under way between UNHCR and Rwandan officials
about the possibility of transporting refugees directly to Kigali in Rwanda.
There are an estimated 873 000 refugees in the Great Lakes region, including
210 000 refugees whose whereabouts have been uncertain since they fled camps in
Bukavu and Goma in November.
The Australian Government supports and commends the continued efforts of aid
workers to stabilise the situation in the region and avert further crises.
An officer from AusAID will travel to the Great Lakes region early next week,
in order to report back to the Government on the humanitarian situation
there.>
Media contact: David Alexander (Mr Thomson's
Office) 06 277 4665 Jane Castles (AusAID) 06 206 4968