The reason is that one of the facilities – Hope Hostel in the capital Kigali – which would serve as accommodation during the asylum process only has room for 200 people.
Thus, Rwanda cannot handle more than a fifth of the 1,000 asylum seekers that would be received in the first round.
— We are looking at developing the infrastructure, and we have identified other opportunities in terms of housing, says Yolande Makolo, spokesperson for the Rwandan government, according to the Evening Standard.
Makolo states, without giving details, that the government “can quickly scale up” the reception.
Britain announced the settlement with Rwanda in April. Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented it as a way to deter people from risking their lives by paying people smugglers for risky boat journeys.
According to the Evening Standard, the agreement for 1,000 asylum seekers is worth 120 million pounds, equivalent to almost 1.5 billion kroner.
A first flight in the controversial collaboration was due to depart from London to Kigali in mid-June. But it was finally stopped after many rounds and appeals by the European Court.