In Rwanda, UNHCR co-leads the response for refugees with the Government of Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR). UNHCR’s responsibility includes ensuring protection of refugees, such as registration, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and protecting children; finding durable solutions for refugees; and providing multisectoral assistance ranging from shelter, water and sanitation, health and reproductive health, education, access to energy, etc. UNHCR assists refugees living in six refugee camps, three reception/transit centers, and also those living in urban areas.
As Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa and the continent’s most densely populated country, local integration remains challenging. UNHCR thus also works with the international community to help refugees living in Rwanda who lack prospects for returning home to find resettlement in third countries.
UNHCR also supports thousands of Rwandan returnees who are coming home since the 1951 Convention Cessation Clause was invoked in June 2013. With the Government and UN and NGO partners, UNHCR receives and assists returnees to reintegrate in Rwanda and rebuild their lives here.