Rwanda: The US continues to welcome Congolese refugee families amidst COVID-19

Twenty-five Congolese refugees departed for resettlement to USA on August 11, 2020. The families had been living in Nyabiheke camp in Rwanda, north-eastern province, since 2005 where they arrived fleeing from conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This marked the first resettlement departures from Rwanda since March 17, 2020, when due to the COVID-19 situation, a temporary hold on refugee resettlement travel was made. The UN Refugee Agency in Rwanda applauded the US Government's humanitarian decision to continue giving refugees access to resettlement as part of durable solutions.

"During these uncertain times of Coronavirus, I would like to thank the US Government for opening borders for these Congolese refugees," said Ahmed Baba Fall, UNHCR representative in Rwanda. " Resettlement is driven by the refugees' protection needs in the country, which is now exacerbated by severe economic vulnerability as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This humanitarian act of solidarity with refugees has proven that it is still possible to provide refugee protection in the midst of a global crisis like COVID-19."

Congolese refugees at Kigali International Airport. Photo: courtesy

The families had been living in Nyabiheke camp in Rwanda, north-eastern province, since 2005. Photo: courtesy

COVID-19 significantly affected people's health in every part of the world. Many at the bottom of the socioeconomic scale suffer the most, and within that category, refugees have been hit especially hard, including those in Rwanda's refugee camps. The Government of Rwanda has taken the lead in the prevention, mitigation, and response to COVID-19. UNHCR warmly welcomes the inclusion of refugees in the National and District Response Plans for COVID-19.

To share responsibility and show solidarity with states supporting large refugee populations, increasing opportunities for refugees to move to third countries through resettlement and complementary pathways for admission, is one of the key objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the US, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other resettlement countries to resume movement in a safe manner," Mr. Ahmed said.