Diplomats accredited to Rwanda have commended the country for its humane handling of refugees.

The envoys were speaking during a visit to Nyabiheke Refugee Camp in Gatsibo District on Monday.

The visit, which attracted nine ambassadors and representatives of international organisations operating in Rwanda, was organised by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (Midmar) in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Nyabiheke Camp, home to over 16,000 refugees, is one of the camps in the country that host refugees displaced by conflict in Eastern DR Congo.

Dr Azam Saber, the UNHCR country representative, said the refuges were doing well, citing the provision of education as an important gesture.

 Nyabiheke Camp was first set up as a make-shift facility to supplement Gihembe and Kiziba camps in Gicumbi and Karongi districts, respectively, which were overcrowded.

The Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana commended the development partners and the international community for supporting Congolese refugees in Rwanda.

Schools needed

Addressing thousands of refugees, diplomats and local leaders, Mukantabana said the camp needed more schools.

"As government, we emphasised a community integrated approach, especially in the education sector, to allow refugees enjoy free education in the country. But we are still challenged by the fact that many of the children in the camp have passed the level of Nine-Year Basic Education. The schools in this camp can only allow them to go up to that level. We, thus, need facilities to extend the programme to 12 years to give these children more opportunities in life,” she said.

Mukantabana commended the envoys for visiting the camp, noting that their presence was a gesture that underlined the commitment to improving refugees’ protection and welfare.

Some of the challenges the refugees are facing include; lack of shelter and food, which has been  exacerbated by the rapid population increase since 2005.

Mukanatabana said the government was working hard to address the challenges, adding that sufficient food was already being provided in camps like Gihembe.

The delegation had earlier toured the camp and appreciated the way Rwanda has treated the refugees.

"The presence of diplomats is a sign of commitment on their part. Midimar has certainly done a good job. The Nine-Year basic education will help the children to easily integrate in society,” Saber said.

Rwanda is currently home to over 70,000 refugees most of whom have been in the country for nearly 20 years, having fled endless conflicts that have for years blighted the region.