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UN official hails Rwanda for swift response to accommodate staff fleeing DRC

By Wycliffe Nyamasege
On 28 January 2025 at 07:54

The United Nations (UN) has praised Rwanda for its rapid and well-coordinated response in accommodating the agency staff and their families fleeing the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Speaking on the evacuation process, Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, commended the Rwandan government for its quick decision-making and exceptional efforts to ensure the safety of those at risk.

“I thank the government of Rwanda for the very timely approval. Because the security situation was evolving, which meant that the lives of those UN staff and their dependents were threatened, they could have become casualties of the fighting. But by the speed of the decision-making by the government of Rwanda, it meant that they were eager to help to secure free passage for these UN national staff,” Ojielo told members of the press on Tuesday.

He noted that, given the nature of the conflict, many evacuees fled without official documents. Despite this, Rwanda stepped in to host them and arranged hotel accommodations, even before securing funds for their stay.

More than 1,800 UN personnel and their families were evacuated to Rwanda on Monday after the conflict between the FARDC coalition forces and M23 rebels intensified in the eastern DRC. The individuals crossed through the Grande Barrière border post in Rubavu District.

The situation escalated after M23 captured Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province, on Monday, following the capture of several other strategic towns, including Sake and Masisi, over the past few weeks.

Ojielo described the government’s efforts at the border as highly organized and effective.

“You’ll be surprised that by 6 a.m. that same Monday, the entire architecture of government was at the border, on the Rubavu side. From state security, police, you name that, medical personnel, they were all there," the official remarked.

Recognizing the efforts of ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MINAFFET) and the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), he praised the seamless process through which evacuees were identified, transported, and accommodated.

“At Kigali Pele Stadium, the highest levels of government were present, coordinated by MINAFFET through Permanent Secretary, [and] the Inspector General of Police was in charge. People arrived by buses, they were processed. Rwanda Convention Bureau made elaborate arrangements with various hotels, people were put in buses, and taken to the hotels,” he explained.

The first group of evacuees, totalling 660 individuals—mostly women and children—arrived at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday afternoon after being transported from the Rubavu border in military convoys. By the end of the day, over 1,832 individuals had been processed and accommodated in hotels.

“I cannot tell you how grateful we are as a United Nations country team in Rwanda to our government for the truly exceptional mobilization of capacities and resources of the government of Rwanda to support these UN staff come through," Ojielo added.

The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC has forced multiple international organizations to evacuate non-essential personnel.

Rwanda became a critical evacuation hub after Goma’s airspace and waterways were shut down amid allegations by M23 that the Congolese army was using the airport to load bombs targeting civilians.

Ojielo noted that in the coming days, the focus will be on the safe return of non-essential UN staff to their home countries and continued support for refugees in Rwanda. Many of the UN personnel hosted by Rwanda are originally from Congo. Plans are in place to facilitate the return of those wishing to travel to Kinshasa by air.

"Though not all of those evacuated were refugees, Rwanda continues to host thousands of refugees, many of whom have fled the DRC over the past two decades," Ojielo added.

He urged the international community to increase support for Rwanda’s ongoing efforts.

"I appeal to the international community to assist Rwanda in supporting the refugees, especially those who are still here or may come, as this is a significant burden for the country to shoulder," Ojielo concluded.

Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, commended the Rwandan government for its quick decision-making and exceptional efforts to ensure the safety of those at risk.
UN staff and their families were supported by Rwanda, which facilitated their relocation from Rubavu to Kigali.
The first group of evacuees, totalling 660 individuals—mostly women and children—arrived at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The UN staff and their families were fleeing the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
Upon arriving in Kigali, they were received at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
MONUSCO and the UN provided support by securing accommodation and facilitating travel arrangements for those who wished to return to their home countries.
The conflict they fled in the DRC was marked by clashes between the M23 group and the Congolese army (FARDC), alongside their allies, including the terrorist group FDLR, Wazalendo, and mercenaries from various countries.
The UN staff fled DRC with their families.
Some of the families had young children.
The first group comprised 660 individuals.
They requested to pass through Rwanda and be accommodated there, as all other possible routes were closed due to the ongoing conflict.
Upon arriving in Rwanda, the UN covered the cost of their accommodation.
The UN staff are accommodated in various hotels in Kigali City.
The UN staff, along with their families, fled after realizing their lives were in danger in Goma.
Rwandan volunteers were present to assist the UN staff and their families.
Many of the UN staff who fled are originally from the DRC.
Rwanda assisted the UN in finding a means of transporting its personnel who had fled.
Among those evacuated were children.
Officials were designated to oversee the maintenance of hygiene standards during the transportation of displaced UN personnel.
Many of the UN personnel who fled were working in the city of Goma.
Rwanda made significant efforts to streamline the reception of the displaced UN personnel, despite the large numbers.
Basic essentials were provided for the displaced, including drinking water.
The displaced also included very young children.
The UN was pleased with how Rwanda welcomed its personnel.
The UN personnel were received at Kigali Pele Stadium.
Kigali Pele Stadium set up as a large reception area to accommodate those evacuated.
Officials were designated to register and assist UN personnel seeking refuge.
Many of the UN personnel who fled arrived without any documentation.
Rwanda received over 1,800 UN personnel and their families.
Arrangements were made to receive those arriving in Rwanda during the rain, ensuring they would remain sheltered.
Upon arriving in Rwanda, they found relief and rest, escaping the dangers they had faced in Goma.
Upon arriving in Rwanda, some may opt to stay or proceed to Kinshasa.
Despite the challenging times, those who had just arrived in Kigali appeared to find relief.
Volunteers assist with daily activities and operations carried out within the country.
Upon reaching Kigali Pelé Stadium, they started to regain their sense of relief and happiness.
The families received in Rwanda include a large number of children.
The UN personnel, mostly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, were warmly welcomed in Rwanda.
Some carried cards and uniforms from the UN departments they worked for.
After arriving in Rwanda, those who wish to will be assisted in securing flights to Kinshasa.
There was an initial verification to confirm whether these individuals were indeed UN personnel.
They were received at Kigali Pelé Stadium before being taken to various hotels around the city.
The UN personnel requested that Rwanda provide a route through the Grande Barrière border to help them escape and save their lives.
Those evacuated were provided with soft drinks and snacks.
The UN workers were provided with an escort by the police.
The Rwanda Police escorted them from Rubavu to Kigali.
Sufficient buses were provided to transport the UN personnel and their families.

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