The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs (Midimar), in partnership with Rwanda National Police and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, has organised a mock emergency exercise to gauge institutional readiness to respond to sudden mass movement of population and refugees influx.  

The three-day command post exercise, the first of its kind in the country, will be launched today.

Participants, who are drawn from various institutions, will be tested on their capabilities to respond to emergency situations, and subsequently empowered with more skills in handling such issues as mass migration, according to organisers.

The exercise-play, codenamed "Twitegurire hamwe,” will be held at the National Police College.

 "This exercise aims at improving the national capabilities and interoperability of key stakeholders during a humanitarian crisis,” said Police Spokesperson Chief Supt. Celestin Twahirwa.

"It is a joint effort which will allow us to plan and implement the national contingency plan for mass movement and population influx and to enhance capacities in responding to mass refugee arrivals,” he added.

Other objectives of the joint exercise is to enhance cooperation and synergy of humanitarian actors, and to test and practice the stakeholders’ networking and sharing of information, experiences and technical expertise nationally

Rwanda is home to over 73,000 refugees, with the overwhelming majority coming from DR Congo.