More than 1,200 Rwandans who were held captive by an armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have safely returned home, reuniting with their families across Rwanda after sheltering at a temporary camp in Rusizi District.
Many of the returnees had fled to the DRC following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and were later taken hostage by the FDLR rebel group. They arrived back in Rwanda on Monday, June 23.
Philippe Habinshuti, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA), said the returnees spent nearly a month at the Nyarushishi temporary camp, where they received counseling about Rwanda’s current situation and development programs before returning to their communities.
“They voluntarily returned and were welcomed with information about the country’s structure and the Rwandan family system to help them reintegrate,” Habinshuti said.
The government provided the returnees with essential medical care and other support to assist them in resuming normal lives. After leaving the camp, they were sent to their villages, cells, and sectors to continue the reintegration process.
MINEMA will continue to work with local authorities to support the returnees and help them participate in national development efforts, Habinshuti added.
The majority of the returnees come from 11 districts, including Rubavu, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Musanze, Huye, and Gicumbi. They arrived at Nyarushishi on May 19, where they received basic assistance and briefings on Rwanda’s progress in various development initiatives.
