Operations

2016 Plan Summary

While the security situation in Rwanda remains calm, the armed conflict close to its border with the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as well as elections planned in some neighbouring countries, continue to destabilize the region, posing a risk of sudden mass influxes of refugees.
 
Rwanda has been hosting considerable numbers of refugees, principally from the DRC, as well as from other countries in Africa, for decades. The Government is fully committed to fulfilling its international obligations, acting in good faith in doing so. Rwanda has also been receiving thousands of returnees over the years, in particular since the invocation of the cessation clauses relating to Rwandan refugees in 2013. The Government has been forthcoming in identifying land suitable for reception centres and refugee camps, and continues to play a key role in camp management and coordination.
 
The main priorities in 2016 will be to build the capacity of the newly established national refugee status determination committee and other concerned Government institutions. Since the refugee population is made up of over 80 per cent women and children, UNHCR will prioritize child protection; the prevention of and response to SGBV; the integration of refugee teachers within the national education system; resettlement for Congolese refugees; return and reintegration of former Rwandan refugees in light of the invocation of the cessation clauses in 2013; improved access to primary health care, reproductive health and HIV; nutrition (targeted to vulnerable groups); referral care in emergencies; and improved access to essential medicines. UNHCR will provide individual shelters for families and gradually replace the pit and mobile latrines with dischargeable latrines; and whenever possible, will maintain or improve the supply of potable water in all camps.
 
UNHCR anticipates that population movements from the DRC and Burundi into Rwanda will continue in 2016. Another planning assumption is that thousands of Rwandan returnees will continue to repatriate throughout 2016 and beyond. Major constraints in this regard include land pressure in Rwanda, as well as the limited resources of UNHCR, the Government of Rwanda and partners for ensuring that reintegration is meaningful, and that obstacles are monitored and addressed.