Vol. 473 No. 6
89 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, made in locating and repatriating Rwandan refugees since Dáil Éireann approved a motion to dispatch a contingent of the permanent defence force to Eastern Zaire on 4 December 1996; and the Government's response to the withdrawal of Irish aid workers from north-west Rwanda in reaction to the murder of three Spanish aid workers, one American aid worker and three soldiers. [2237/97]
Since 15 November 1996, approximately 1.2 million Rwandan refugees have voluntarily repatriated from camps in eastern Zaire and Tanzania to Rwanda. The massive return of these refugees has taken place in an organised and dignified manner and has been welcomed by the international community. All the refugees have now returned to their home communes and the reintegration needs of the returnees are being met by the Government of Rwanda who are working closely with the international aid agencies and NGSs.
The Irish Government understands that a number of Rwandan refugees, along with Burundian refugees and internally displaced Zairois remain in eastern Zaire. Latest information indicates that these refugees, who had been scattered throughout the region, have now gathered into two main groups located near the towns of Shabunda and Lubutu in eastern Zaire.
The UN agencies and the international committee of the Red Cross have been providing relief supplies to these refugees since the middle of December 1996. The Irish Government is supporting the international relief effort from the £2.25 million which the Government allocated to the Great Lakes region in the beginning of November 1996. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees remains committed to the early and voluntary repatriation of remaining refugees and is actively pursuing the best means of achieving this.
The Irish Government is extremely concerned and deeply shocked at the incident in Ruhengeri on 18 January in which four international aid workers and three Rwandan soldiers lost their lives. Close and regular contact has been maintained with all the Irish aid agencies working in Rwanda, in particular with Trócaire and Concern who have Irish staff working in the Gisenyi and Ruhengeri region. The Government understands that the aid agencies are fully aware of the security situation and following comprehensive briefing by the United Nations resident representative in Kigali and by the British Ambassador to Rwanda, have placed security procedures for their staff under continuing and close review.
