THE Japanese government has announced funding for a project to resettle and integrate over 11,000 Rwandans who were repatriated from various countries.The programme, worth $1.5 million, will be jointly implemented by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, and the International Organisation for Migration.It will involve supporting the sustainable reintegration of the returnees through equipping them with vocational and other off-farm life skills.This is the third phase of a programme that was launched in 2010.During the launch of the phase, the IOM country director, Didacus Obunga, said the development will enhance socio-economic reintegration opportunities for former refugees by imparting them with market-driven skills such as masonry, mechanics, welding and tailoring. The returnees, who hail from 22 districts, will receive five-month training courses.“The whole project aims to ensure sustainable reintegration of the returnees through building their capacity, self employment opportunities and other income generation activities,” said Obunga.Obunga said the funding will also involve direct support to the beneficiaries for start-up capital after going through training on various skills.Since the inception of the programme in 2010 that has now spent over $4.5 million, 41,455 returnees have benefited.The IOM and the ministry have targeted 36 percent for skills development, 41 percent for livestock development and 23 for improving housing facilities.Speaking to this paper, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Antoine Ruvebana, said they averagely receive 260 returnees every month as the cessation clause is only nine months away.The UNHCR cessation clause stipulates that a person recognised as a refugee, will either voluntarily return to the country of origin or apply for residence in the host country.The clause, does not allow claims for refugee status after verification by the agency that there are no conditions in the country of origin that qualify for UN protection.However, the declaration does not prevent individuals applying for refugee status and in this case; the recipient country will have to analyse individual cases that may warrant the continuation of international protection.
