09 July 2013
Nairobi: About 100,000 Rwandans who fled the country have lost their refugee status and must return home, regularise their stay in their host countries, or risk living as stateless individuals. This follows the coming into effect of the cessation clause on June 30, meaning none of these Rwandans can enjoy international protection and assistance as refugees — because the circumstances under which they became refugees have ceased to exist. They can no longer claim assistance from the global refugee body, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. This assistance includes food, medical care, clothing, shelter, seeds and tools, social services, counselling, or help to resettle in another country.