Rwanda has been welcoming refugees for over two decades. At the end of December 2020, the country hosted 144,662 refugees. Rwanda generally provides a favourable protection environment. The Government of Rwanda officially accepted the application of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in February 2018 and contributes to the progressive implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees. Rwanda made 9 pledges at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in December 2019, which focus on education, livelihoods, protection, environment, energy and health. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Rwanda was the first country to develop thematic action plans per pledge. All operational responses are in line with this inclusive protection and solutions approach.
As the Burundi refugee crisis approaches its 6th year, the situation has more or less stabilized, and the political election of May 2020 in Burundi allowed to facilitate a VolRep programme that have so far assisted the return of 7,895 refugees (99% of 8,000 PoCs returning in 2020).
The strategy for the Congolese refugees who have lived in Rwanda for almost 24 years remains focused on their inclusion in national systems and the scaling up livelihoods so they can graduate from humanitarian assistance. Since the 2018 political transition in DRC, UNHCR is exploring the possibility of facilitating a tripartite dialogue (UNHCR, Rwanda and DRC) on durable solutions.
Since the signature of the Tripartire agreement GoR/AU/UNHCR in September 2019 that led to the creation of the ETM Rwanda, 385 refugees and asylum seekers have been evacuated from Libya. Movements had temporarily been halted since March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, but resettlement departures have resumed since August 2020 and evacuations flights resumed on 19 November 2020.
At the beginning of 2021, UNHCR Rwanda will provide protection and assistance to 139,498 refugees in six refugee camps (Gihembe, Kigeme, Kiziba, Mahama, Mugombwa and Nyabiheke) and 2 urban areas (Kigali and Huye) in Rwanda. In parallel, UNHCR will support the VolRep of 40,000 Burundian refugees. There will be few new arrivals and by the end of 2021 Rwanda will host 108,921 refugees and asylum-seekers from Burundi (28,919 PoCs) and DRC (80,003 PoCs). UNHCR will also assist the reintegration of 3,000 Rwandan returnees back from DRC, as well as the evacuation to Rwanda of 1,500 refugees and Asylum seekers from Libya.
The Refugee Coordination Model in Rwanda is co-coordinated by the Government and UNHCR. It includes a range of UN Agencies, NGOs, operational and development partners. UNHCR also coordinates sector working groups (co-coordinating with partners where relevant).
NGO partners are involved in UNHCR programming aspects and when possible, raise funds to complement UNHCR’s efforts.
UNHCR also coordinates refugee response appeals such as the CRRP, Rwanda chapters in the RRRPs for the Burundi and the Congolese situations, CERF appeals, COVID-19 GHRP etc.
In 2020, project partnership agreements were signed with 7 INGOs, 3 National NGOs, 1 Government Institutions, UNOPS and IUNV. Similar arrangements will continue in 2021. Refugees and returnees are included in the UNDAP II (2018-2023) and the national development agenda; and UNHCR is an active participant to the UNCT and the UNDAF task force.
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