§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made on the state of refugee camps in Rwanda. [31665]
§ Clare ShortThe conditions in the camps are not a cause for alarm and improvements are in hand. The Rwandan authorities are co-operating with the effort to improve conditions.
Prior to the eruption of Nyarigongo on 18 January, there were about 31,000 Congolese, and 500 Burundian refugees in Rwanda. Although many more Congolese came to Rwanda in the immediate aftermath, most of these quickly returned to Congo.
On 24 January the UN estimated that there were about 11,000 displaced by the eruption remaining in Nkamira and Mudende camps in Rwanda. The UK has provided £250,000 to the British Red Cross, who are responsible for basic services in the camps.