Airtel Rwanda reaches out to Burundian Refugees in Mahama Camp

Kirehe District in the Eastern province, Mahama Sector is home to the biggest refugee camp in Rwanda, Mahama Camp. Set up to accommodate Burundian refugees who were and still are fleeing their country due to crisis related to the presidential elections in Burundi, the camp is currently home to 43,000 refugees with 1,800 unaccompanied minors.

Managed by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Supported by many other partners, the camp is steadily starting to transform.

This is being realized with the latest move by the American Refugee Committee (ARC) to construct model shelters which will enable refugees to live in a community based arrangement.

With this initiative and innovative structure, Airtel Rwanda reached out to provide support to the people in Mahama Camp. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility, Airtel Rwanda partnered with International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide solar energy panels, clothes, shoes, computers and a printer for the residents of Mahama Camp.

Although health care operations started in April, the camp has three Physicians and thirty eight medical staff with round the clock primary health care services. The solar panels will be used to light the health facility at the camp. This environmentally friendly energy source will enable health workers serve patients better and for extended hours.

“Airtel Rwanda aims at improving the general lively hood of the people in our communities, not only by providing them with affordable and reliable telecommunications solutions, but also by providing the basic needs that can improve their lives.

We have been reaching out to people in need of help and it is in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility pillars that we continue to support our communities. Today, we have been able to contribute some items to Mahama Camp and we hope this can help improve the quality of living in the camp. Airtel Rwanda believes in helping the community it operates in.” Said Denise Umunyana, Head of CSR & Corporate Communications Airtel Rwanda.

Mahama Camp also has umbrella partners that have been working with MIDIMAR to help solve the plight of the residents. These include; UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, ADRA, World Vision, Plan International, Save the Children, among others.

Speaking to ARC Country Director, Mr. Frederic Auger, he said; “We are doing all we can to ensure that the residents of Mahama Camp get all the necessary services. We are building shelters that will improve the housing structure in the camp. We hope with this improvement, there will be more organization within the camp. We are always open to all the support we can get. We are grateful of Airtel Rwanda for the support they have given us today and we hope this sets precedence for other Corporates.”

UM– USEKE.RW