The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA), in partnership with the World Bank, conducted a two-day Tabletop Simulation Exercise for Rwanda’s Contingent Emergency Response Project (CERP) from 10–11 August 2026. The exercise aimed to strengthen Rwanda’s preparedness to effectively activate and implement the CERP mechanism in response to eligible emergencies, while ensuring rapid and efficient access to emergency financing.

The exercise was officially opened on Monday, August 10, by the Permanent Secretary of MINEMA, NGOGA Aristarque, who emphasized the importance of preparedness, institutional clarity, and effective coordination in ensuring that emergency financing mechanisms can be activated and implemented efficiently when needed.

“Preparedness is not only about having resources available; it is also about ensuring that institutions understand their roles and can act quickly and in a coordinated manner when an emergency occurs. The CERP simulation allows us to identify and address potential gaps before they affect our response to a real crisis,” said PS NGOGA Aristarque.

Rwanda’s Contingent Emergency Response Project (CERP) is a World Bank-supported financing mechanism designed to enable the Government to rapidly access and repurpose financing from existing World Bank-funded projects in response to eligible emergencies or crises.

Throughout the simulation, participants worked through a realistic emergency scenario to test the practical application of CERP procedures. Key areas covered included crisis eligibility and activation decisions, preparation of the Crisis Response Plan, activation request procedures, fund-flow and disbursement arrangements, procurement, environmental and social requirements. The exercise also provided an opportunity to identify potential coordination and implementation gaps that could delay the activation or use of emergency financing.

On Tuesday, August 11, the exercise session was officiated by ACP Egide MUGWIZA, Director General of Response and Recovery Operations at MINEMA, who underscored the importance of translating preparedness arrangements into practical institutional readiness.

“A financing mechanism is only effective when the institutions responsible for activating and implementing it are ready to act. This exercise is helping us test our procedures, clarify responsibilities and strengthen coordination so that, when an eligible emergency occurs, resources can reach affected communities without unnecessary delays,” said ACP Egide MUGWIZA.

The exercise brought together representatives from the exercise brought together government sector institutions, partners and WB technical teams. The cross-institutional format was designed to strengthen coordination and clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of institutions throughout the CERP activation and implementation process.

The simulation enabled participants to strengthen their understanding of the CERP activation process, identify gaps in procedures and coordination arrangements, and agree on corrective actions and follow-up measures to enhance operational readiness.

The two-day exercise reinforces Rwanda’s broader efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response financing. By testing procedures and coordination arrangements before a crisis occurs, CERP stakeholders are better positioned to mobilize resources rapidly, efficiently, and accountably to support timely emergency response and protect affected communities.