A. Assistance to Refugees Project 

The Government of Rwanda as a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention as well as other related protocols and conventions. Through the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), it ensures the overall general protection, security, and safety of the persons of concern.

MINEMA in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is responsible for the smooth delivery of multi-sector assistance by project partners to refugees residing in refugee camps and transit centers, and to refugees and asylum seekers living in urban areas.

As of 31^st August 2024, Rwanda counts 135,077 individuals of the population of concern. Congolese make up 61.30% of the total refugee population, Burundians are 38.06%, evacuees from Libya in the Emergency Transit Mechanism make up 0.44% and refugees from other nationalities make up 0,20%. Urban refugees make up 9% of the total population, children make up 49% of the registered population while women and children are 75% of the registered population. The average family size is 3.7 individuals.

In addition to the above groups of refugees, Rwanda has been receiving evacuees from Libya following the President of the Republic of Rwanda offer in 2017 to host up migrants stranded in Libya. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Rwanda, African Union and UNHCR was signed on 10 September 2019 establishing the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) aimed at providing life-saving protection, assistance and long-term solutions to extremely vulnerable asylum and refugees trapped in Libya, through temporary evacuation to Rwanda. From 2019, Rwanda received 2,474 refugees and asylum seekers evacuated from Libya and 1,835 among them have been resettled to third countries. 

Rwanda has also been receiving former Rwandan refugees repatriated from different African countries. From 1994, over 3,500,000 returnees were received and Rwanda has put in place mechanisms for their effective repatriation, reception, reintegration and facilitated to return to their Districts of origin. Returnees are provided with cash grant and health insurance to support their sustainable reintegration.

The Government of Rwanda continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to economic development with the ambition to transform from a low to a mid-level development country. Refugees are also included in different initiatives including social-economic inclusion strategy, education, and health. From 2019, the Government of Rwanda had pledged to support the inclusion of refugees focusing on jobs and livelihoods, energy, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

Furthermore, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) announced four following commitments in support of refugee inclusion in Rwanda in response to the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants in the Leaders’ Summit for Refugees on 20 September 2016:

1. The launch of the joint MINEMA-UNHCR livelihoods strategy with a focus on graduating camp-based refugees out of assistance programs and increasing formal access to work opportunities;
2. Refugees are in possession of valid refugee identity cards issued by the Government of the Republic of Rwanda. They also have access to Refugee Travel Document;
3. Refugee students in secondary and primary schools are integrated into national education system;
4. Urban refugees are enrolled into national health insurance system.

B. JYA MBERE PROJECT (Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities-SEIRHC)  

1. Project development objective: To improve access to basic services and economic opportunities for refugees and host communities, and support environmental management in the target areas in Rwanda.
2. Effective Date: 14-Aug-2019
3. Closing Date:  30-Oct-2026
4. Budget: US$ 84.41 million 
5. Project locations: 5 districts hosting refugee camps namely Gatsibo, Gisagara, Karongi, Kirehe and Nyamagabe Districts as well as Gicumbi, Huye, Bugesera and City of Kigali.
6. Project Components:

• Access to basic services and social economic investments,
• Economic Opportunities,
• Environmental Management,
• Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation

 Sub – Projects:

• 250 Classrooms and 386 Latrines

• 5 TVET Schools (Musaza and Bukora TVETs in Kirehe, Mubuga TVET in Karongi, GITI TVET in Gicumbi and Gituza TVET in Gatsibo)
• Water Supply System (one in Gatsibo, one in Karongi and one in Nyamagabe)
• 2 Markets (Mugera market in Gatsibo and Ryarubondo market in Nyamagabe)
• Different Medical equipment provided to Ngarama Health Center
• Educational Materials/Equipments provided at different schools in Gatsibo, Gicumbi and Kirehe.

How does the project contribute to the socio-economic progress of both refugees and host communities?

Jya Mbere Project will improve access to basic services and expand economic opportunities for both refugees and host communities who live in the above-mentioned districts. Host communities suffer from the same development constraints as refugees such as limited employment opportunities, a high ratio of students in classrooms, and dependence on low-income agriculture for livelihood. While relations are generally good between refugees and host communities, the project will promote continued peaceful co-existence by mitigating the negative impacts of refugee presence by providing equitable access to project benefits to both groups and by promoting joint economic activities.

How does the project add value to the current development efforts?

Jya Mbere project is aligned with the country’s initiative of promoting private-sector-led income generation and employment for refugees and host communities. It will support social and economic infrastructures in rural areas to enhance access to basic services, road connectivity, and market opportunities. This contributes to the creation of jobs and improvement of the productivity of people with low income through development and social protection. Jya Mbere project aligns with National Strategy for Transformation that highlights human development, environmental sustainability, and private-sector-driven growth as priorities.

C. CERC (Contingency Emergency Response Component) PROJECT 

Project Description:

The CERC (Contingency Emergency Response Component) Project is a World Bank-funded project aims at responding to the impact of flood and landslide disasters that occurred in Rwanda's Northern and Western provinces on May 2-3, 2023.

Source of Funds:

• 9M USD – the COVID-19 SPRP (Strategic Preparedness & Response Program) 
• 17M EURO - the LVTP (Lake Victoria Transport Program) 

Implementing Agency:

MINEMA, in collaboration with 6 Districts (Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Ngororero, Burera) based on the Signed Memorandum of Understanding.

Project Scope:

• Rehabilitation: 1,322 houses

1. Provision of construction materials for the rehabilitation of 1,322 houses that were partially damaged across six disaster-affected districts: Rubavu, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Nyabihu, and Burera.
2. These houses, situated on beneficiaries registered plots that are not classified as high-risk zones, are being rehabilitated to enhance their resilience. The rehabilitation works include plastering, flooring, roofing, drainage improvements, and slope stabilization to better protect the structures from future disasters.

• Re-Construction: 2,763 houses

1. Construction of 2,763 new houses on designated sites for households whose homes were fully destroyed by the disaster across six districts: Rubavu, Karongi, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Nyabihu, and Burera.
2. The construction targets homes located in high-risk zones that were fully destroyed. The scope of work includes site preparation, house elevation, plastering, flooring, roofing, drainage systems, and the provision of basic infrastructure to ensure safety and functionality.

• Establishment & Equipping 14 EES (Emergency Evacuation Sites)

1. Sites that can serve as emergency evacuation sites have been identified (Rutsiro, Karongi, Gicumbi, Gakenke, Muhanga, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Burera, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Ngorero, Rulindo, Nyamagabe, Musanze).
2. These sites will be prepared and equipped with essential services, including land levelling, access to water, electricity, lighting, and fencing. While no permanent structures will be built on the site, all necessary equipment will be procured and kept ready for deployment in the event of a disaster.

• Project Timeline:

1. Start Date: January 18, 2024
2. Completion Date: June 30, 2025 (Rehabilitation, EES, and 436 new houses) and December 31, 2025 (Remaining 2,300 houses)

• Project Progress thus far:

1. 780 houses under rehabilitation, 80% at completion level.
2. 72 relocation sites identified; land acquisition ongoing.
3. 14 Emergency evacuation sites identified; land acquisition ongoing.