Rwanda

Working environment

While the overall security situation in Rwanda remains calm, instability in neighbouring Burundi and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where elections have been postponed to next year, continues to present the possibility of a sudden influx of refugees.
Rwanda has been hosting refugees for decades and today it is home to nearly 165,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from the DRC and Burundi. The Government has maintained open borders and ensures freedom of movement and the right to work for all refugees. 

Key priorities

UNHCR’s key strategy for 2017 is to further encourage the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and reduce dependency on humanitarian aid through a multifaceted strategy, including through the continued integration of refugees into national education and healthcare systems, and implementing a joint Government-UNHCR multi-year market-based livelihoods strategy. This strategy foresees a transition from in-kind to cash-based interventions, and includes strategic partnerships with the Government, development actors and UN agencies, to mainstream refugees into national programs. 
With women and children representing over 80 per cent of the refugee population in Rwanda, child protection and SGBV programs are being prioritized in all refugee locations. In addition, resettlement is also prioritized for Congolese refugees living in protracted situations. 
A funding shortfall would impact UNHCR’s ability to upgrade the already overcrowded communal living spaces occupied by over 11,000 Burundian refugees and the temporary shelters of several Congolese refugee families, which present a range of health and protection risks. Funding is needed to ensure more dignified living conditions. UNHCR’s water, sanitation and health (WASH) programs have so far succeeded in achieving the minimum standards but further funding support is required to ensure the health of refugees.