wfn.org | LWF to continue humanitarian aid in Rwanda despite killings

[FRANK_IMHOFF.parti@ecunet.org (FRANK IMHOFF)]

8 die in attack on resettlement community

GENEVA, 26 March 1998 (lwi) - The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is
determined to continue its humanitarian aid and reconciliation efforts in
Rwanda despite the recent killing of three LWF staff and five inhabitants
of the Bukora 3 resettlement community in the prefecture of Kibungo,
according to LWF Department for World Service director, Rudolf Hinz. The
LWF is one of the few international non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
that maintains staff in the villages and in this way endeavors to create a
sense of belonging, stability and security through closer contact with the
communities.

"We are determined to stay with the communities and not leave them at this
important crossroad. We have to remember that our success in our program is
directly related to the fact that we are the organization with staff
present on the ground with the communities," LWF World Service
representative in Kigali, Jaap Aantjes underlines. He says that staff now
may have to be shifted around or, in the extreme, a decision be taken that
it is no longer possible to have staff living at the settlement sites.

The Bukora resettlement community, which shelters both returning Tutsi and
Hutu refugees, was attacked by about 30 men armed with guns, machetes and
hoes during the night, March 11-12. The assailants apparently came from the
Tanzanian border area having crossed the Akagera river, on the border, in
small boats. About 500 families are currently settled in Bukora 3 situated
not far from the border with Tanzania. A total of 15 LWF staff members
worked at the site.

Bukora 3 - An example for reconciliation work

In addition to construction work, LWF World Service efforts are directed at
reconciliation work. Hutus and Tutsis live together on the settlement site
and both are on the staff. Since last week's attack, the Rwandan army has
been placed on alert. The refugee settlement site is under its protection.

In a letter to Rwandan president, Pasteur Bizimungu, LWF general secretary,
Ishmael Noko, expresses concern over the tense situation in Rwanda: "It is
senseless, brutal acts like this that nullify past efforts for
reconciliation and destroy hopes for the future. ...We are appalled that a
settlement, constructed for peace and security, has become a murder scene."
Noko also requests better protection of the settlements and staff.

The LWF has been involved in humanitarian aid and shelter programs in the
region in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and Action by Churches
Together (ACT) since 1994. The resettlement project, Bukora 3, is funded by
ECHO with the LWF as implementing partner.

The Akagera river is a branch of the Kagera river which earned a tragic
reputation when, in 1994, the bodies of thousands of dead Rwandans were
found and recovered there.

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Lutheran World Information
Editorial Assistant: Janet Bond-Nash
E-mail: jbn@lutheranworld.org
http://www.lutheranworld.org/