Officials from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Wednesday donated 700 basic hygiene kits, worth US$32,760 (about Rwf24.5 million), to Burundian refugees in Mahama refugee camp in Kirehe District, Eastern Province.

Each kit includes clothing for expectant mothers and their children, soap, buckets, Vaseline, towels, panties and sanitary pads. The camp hosts between 800 and 1,000 pregnant women.

Speaking to The New Times, the UNFPA deputy country representative, Daniel Alemu, appreciated the Government for hosting the refugees and for taking care of their basic needs, such as food, water, medication, shelter and ensuring their safety.

"I also thank the other humanitarian agencies that have worked closely with the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs to ensure their welfare,” he said.

Solange Nyirampeta, the camp’s health coordinator, said the kits would help meet the specific needs of the women and girls in the camp.

"They are going to help a lot of mothers, especially during child birth,” she noted.

Affirming the UN’s commitment in providing aid to the refugees, Alemu said alleviating refugees’ suffering and upholding their dignity was paramount.

"Meeting basic needs of persons in need is a noble cause which all of us should be committed to,” he added.

UNFPA has been providing reproductive health services to the refugees at the camp, family planning kits, as well as involved in community mobilisation and sexual gender based violence awareness.

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