Thank you for that question, Mr. Chair.
First of all, when Burundian refugees—especially in the case discussed here—leave Burundi and arrive in another country, there is no logistical support for them. It's a struggle just to know where to go. It took the person in question more than two months to know who was in charge of what.
Secondly, upon arriving in the Nakivale refugee camp, they found the situation untenable. To begin with, the militia attached to the party in power—the Imbonerakure—were already there. They fled with the others, to take a general survey and see what was happening. There were even incidents where people were stabbed or injured. There were even some deaths.
That is when most refugees decide, with the few resources they have, or based on the assumption that a benefactor somewhere will give them $50 or $100, to rent a one-room apartment just to get out of the situation. What you are saying is true: it has happened, and the report exists. Yes, there have been instances of rape, there have been instances of persecution, and the situation in these camps is problematic.
What needs to be understood is that the situation for refugees in Africa is totally different from the situation here. First of all, they get no help from the government. Secondly, if the UN Refugee Agency lends them assistance, it's just a ration to help them survive. The people are in a country where they don't speak the language, can't get work, and can't go to school because most schools are private. Obviously, if you allow three to five years for the process to take its course, the people, assuming they're still alive, are probably in a shambles, and unable to do anything constructive because their self-confidence has been shattered.
Thank you.