Feature: A touch of humanity, Burundi refugees in Mahama camp of Rwanda

Three months after fleeing from violence in their motherland, Burundian refugees at Mahama camp in eastern Rwanda are hoping not return home soon and now calling Rwanda a temporary home.

Mahama camp located about 160 kilometers away from the Rwanda- Burundi border hosts about 26,911 Burundi refugees who continue to flee their country since the announcement that Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza's was bidding for a third term in office in April.

According to the Rwanda ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, the camp can accommodate up to 50,000 people.

But once they arrive in the refugee camp in Mahama it is not the end of the road even though the UN relief agencies and the government of Rwanda's intervention to provide the basic needs for the refugees, aid workers and refugees still face daily challenges and struggles.

They don't know what's going to happen to them and also experience a lack of control and helplessness despite the fact that lots of things are done for them in the camp in order to have a safer place to call home.

"When I reached here I thought all hope was lost, there was nothing I could live for. It was very strange; it was my first time to live in a refugee camp but whenever I used to think about the atrocities and the horrors that took place in my country, I never used to sleep. I thought I'd be hunted in the refugee camp," says Josine Niragira, a 35 year old mother of three children.

Niragira also has to deal with a loss of role, she no longer can be the parent who can provide for or support her family, and she has lost her job and monthly salary of 200 U.S. dollars.

She used to work as a hair stylist in one of the beauty shops in the Burundian Capital, Bujumbura. Now she can feel undermined and inferior and can't get all the things she needs for her children.

For the refugees who have been there several months, Mahama refugee camp is evolving into a permanent and secure home and their temporary shelters are becoming something that resembles a home.

But for those just arriving at the camp it simply represents a safe haven.

The government of Rwanda in partnership with UN agencies on Saturday last week kicked off the construction of permanent housing structures in Mahama camp in a bid to improve the welfare and security of the refugees.

The semi-permanent housing units will accommodate all the refugees, according to Seraphine Mukantabana, Rwanda minister for disaster management and refugee affairs.

"We thank UNHCR and other relief agencies that have helped us to provide the safe and conducive place for Burundi refugees. It was very challenging for the government of Rwanda to address the issue alone," she says.

She noted Rwanda will always do the necessary to improve the welfare of the refugees and make them comfortable until their motherland is safe for them to return to.

Early this month Mahama camp was connected to clean and piped water by the Rwanda Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC).

Jean Damascene Musoni, the camp manager told Xinhua on Saturday that, every member of the camp is entitled to a daily water ration of 15 litres.

"Life is getting better for the refugees here at the camp because all the basic needs are being provided to the people," he noted.

Musoni says that malnourished children are rehabilitated through a series of nutritional therapy such as corn soy blend, therapeutic milk and plumpy nut until they have fully recovered.

"I am secure, I can sleep and there is no shooting. I am more secure here," said Emile Ndarubagiye, a 45 year old father who had escaped violence back home with his wife and six children.

"I can call Rwanda my home now because I feel safer than being in Burundi. We have been provided with shelter, clean water, food, medical care and emotional therapy." he adds.

Rwanda hosts more than 110,000 refugees from DR Congo and Burundi.

Saber Azam, UNHCR Country Representative to Rwanda told Xinhua on Monday that UN is pleased by Rwanda's efforts towards protecting the lives of Burundian refugees.

"We are grateful to the Government of Rwanda and its people for the hospitality they continue to extend to Burundi refugees, '' he said."We need to collectively build on these efforts and ensure that they can be sustained until these people return home."

Burundi refugees are hosted in six main camps namely; Kiziba in Karongi, Gihembe in Gicumbi District, Nyabiheke in Gatsibo District, Kigeme in Nyamagabe District, Mugombwa in Gisagara District and Mahama in Kirehe District. Endi