UK asylum seekers to be housed in no-frills hostel in Rwandan capital

Asylum seekers flown to Rwanda by the British authorities will likely be put up in a no-frills hostel a mile away from Kigali metropolis centre.

Folks fleeing warfare and persecution will likely be taken to a visitor home, inbuilt 2014, which solely has 50 rooms obtainable, though there are plans to increase the ability.

Hope visitor home, a privately owned hostel within the Gasabo district of the capital, is presently getting used for vacationer lodging, in accordance with Rwandan authorities officers.

Nonetheless, it’s understood that Rwandan authorities are in negotiation to lease the essential and stripped-back property for use to accommodate UK asylum seekers whereas their claims are being processed.

Nonetheless, given Britain’s rising asylum backlog, a hostel that may solely accommodate 100 folks – if there are two folks to a room and friends share communal loos – falls effectively brief of what’s required as a part of the House Workplace’s immigration technique.

There are simply 12 bogs and 5 showers for about 100 folks and small 12ft by 12ft (3.6 x 3.6-metre) bedrooms, with two beds in every.

There are plans to increase the ability by constructing extra lodging blocks, finally providing 150 rooms and in a position to sleep as much as 300 folks, however the authorities has not stated how lengthy this may take.

Asylum seekers are anticipated to be given three meals a day to eat in a communal eating room, with some kitchen amenities additionally obtainable for these with particular dietary necessities.

The plans, introduced by Boris Johnson at a time when his premiership hangs by a thread following his Partygate fixed-penalty discover, have been criticised throughout the political spectrum.

The Tory peer Woman Warsi wrote on Twitter on Thursday that they had been “ineffective and dear”, including: “It’s additionally inhumane and shames our proud historical past as advocates of human rights and the refugee conference.

“It’s inconsistent with our beneficiant response to the Ukrainian disaster. Its timing is cynical and political.”

In the meantime, Priti Patel made a non-public go to to the location on Thursday to see an instance of what lodging could also be on provide.

It was understood to be the house secretary’s first go to to Rwanda for the reason that deal was agreed, after being briefed by House Workplace and Overseas Workplace officers who’ve been researching the plan.

The PA Media information company contributed to this report.