Accident involving a UNHCR-owned vehicle on loan to its Project Partner, Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA)
On 17 August 2016, media reports wrongly indicated that a vehicle operated by UNHCR had been involved in an accident and the Police had found cannabis in the vehicle. The vehicle in question is a property of UNHCR, on loan under a “Right of Use Agreement” to Africa Humanitarian Action, responsible for health services in Kigeme camp.
Kigali – Rwanda
A press Release
On 17 August 2016, media reports wrongly indicated that a vehicle operated by UNHCR had been involved in an accident on 16 August 2016 and that the Rwanda National Police had found cannabis in the vehicle. In this regard, the UN Refugee Agency wishes to clarify that the vehicle in question is a property of UNHCR, on loan under a “Right of Use Agreement” to Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA), a project partner of UNHCR responsible for delivery of health services in Kigeme refugee camp.
Under a “Right of Use Agreement” which is a standard practice with our partners with regard to property on loan, UNHCR delegates the day-to-day management of the respective assets availed to the partners. Therefore UNHCR did not have direct control on the above-mentioned vehicle and AHA assumes full responsibility for the accident of that vehicle.
While the investigation is not yet completed, available information indicates that the vehicle was taken by a staff member of AHA without authorization, on the false pretext of responding to a health emergency in the refugee camp.
In order to minimize such occurrences, UNHCR vehicles, including those on loan to our partners, are equipped with tracking devices that we are closely monitoring. Unfortunately, the vehicle in question was part of the old fleet and had not yet been equipped with a tracking device. As UNHCR renews its fleet in the near future all UNHCR vehicles, including those on loan to its partners, will be equipped with a tracking device.
UNHCR and AHA are both cooperating closely with the Rwanda National Police and other relevant authorities in the investigation.
UNHCR contact information:
Martina Pomeroy, External Relations Officer, UNHCR
pomeroy@unhcr.org +250-78-830-2769
Eugene Sibomana, Communication/PI Associate, UNHCR
sibomane@unhcr.org +250-78-888-4713
