The refugees, from various African countries facing instability, were unable to secure the peace and freedom they sought, with many failing in their attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. Instead, they found themselves detained in Libya.
A temporary camp was established in Rwanda, where they received various forms of assistance while awaiting permanent resettlement options, including relocation to other countries.
In August, the Government of Rwanda and its partners renewed the agreement to receive more refugees and asylum seekers. In collaboration with the European Union, the capacity of the Gashora transit center was expanded, raising its accommodation limit from 500 to 700 people.
Since the program began, UNHCR reports that by September 2024, Rwanda had hosted 2,474 refugees. Most of them are from Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, though a few also come from West African countries.
By the end of September 2024, UNHCR statistics show that 1,817 refugees had been resettled in other countries, while 698 remained at the Gashora transit center. The main resettlement destinations include Canada, Sweden, the United States, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Their well-being is monitored daily by the Rwandan Government, through the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), and UNHCR, with support from partners including the European Union and Denmark.
A New Life Begins
Many refugees have varied reasons for fleeing their home countries, with war, insecurity, and persecution being the primary drivers. These challenges forced them to seek passage from Libya to Europe by sea. However, for many, these hopes tragically ended, as they either fell into the hands of armed groups in Libya or suffered from dangerous boat journeys.
Abdallah Mohamed Altahir, a father of three from Sudan, currently lives at the Gashora transit center with his wife and children. He told IGIHE that he decided to leave Sudan due to the ongoing civil war.
"In 2023, my wife, our three children, and I decided to leave Sudan for Libya because of insecurity," he said. "Once we reached Libya, the situation was no better than in Sudan, as armed groups constantly threatened us. Each day, new dangers arose, with no one to help us."
Abdallah explained that he sought asylum with UNHCR in Libya and was eventually selected for resettlement in Rwanda, an option he had not anticipated.
"Coming to Rwanda was a surprise," he said. "Arriving here felt like being lifted from a blazing fire to a safe place. For the first time, I felt genuinely welcomed, and it restored my hope in life."
Similarly, Hussein Fakeya Abader, a young woman from Ethiopia, arrived at the Gashora camp in late 2022. She left Ethiopia for Libya due to conflict and endured hardships, including losing sight in one eye.
"Life in Libya was terrible. I saw people suffer, people killed on the streets, and others assaulted. I never want to return to Libya," she shared.
Since arriving in Rwanda, Fakeya says her life has transformed. "When I learned I was going to Rwanda, I was very happy. After arriving, we were welcomed, settled, and even received medical care."
At the Gashora transit center, asylum seekers and refugees live freely, receive food, and engage in recreational activities. Children attend regular classes, and adults can study English, French, Kinyarwanda, and vocational skills like driving, hairdressing, tailoring, and computing.
Although grateful for the warm welcome in Rwanda, many still hope to resettle in Western countries, where they believe they can secure a better future for themselves and their families.
IGIHE
