1. PROJECT OF STRENGTHENING NATIONAL AND LOCAL DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT CAPACITY, RESILIENCE AND ENHANCING PREPAREDNESS AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEM IN RWANDA.

The project aligned with the 4 priority areas of the Sendai Framework for DRR, aims at further honing in on the achievements of the previous programs, as well as to expand the scope of disaster management to go beyond reactive activities and include early warning systems for better preparedness. 

This will involve:

•    Technical and financial assistance for capacity development of central and local bodies dealing with disaster management, early warning and monitoring including the support to national institutions with a lean and efficient team of experts in coordination, M&E and reporting to strengthen overall coordination, information management and capacity building of staff. 

•    Increase knowledge and skills of risk of national and local institutions and population and high risk communities from evidence-based risk assessment.

•    Enhance the national multi-hazard early warning system for efficient response and recovery. 

•    Reduce vulnerability to natural disasters of vulnerable Communities from selected high disaster-prone districts through community projects, livelihood and recovery intervention. Additionally, cross-cutting issues related to gender, human rights, and sustainability will be considered and mainstreamed across all planned interventions.

 The project aims at focusing on the following 4 identified priorities: 

•    Strengthen disaster management at the institutional level. It will work with all concerned stakeholders in developing capacity for their personnel, as well as ensure that policies reflect and mainstream DRR strategies that follow the Sendai Framework. 

•     Have a better understanding of the risks as well as at increasing awareness of DRR strategies at the local level. It will ensure that the Risk profiling exercise (National Risk Atlas) is updated and that its recommendations are implemented in the appropriate sectors and communities depending on evidence-based risk assessments, and that the local population is aware of these preparedness and mitigation strategies 

•    Set up quality early warning system in the country. Through the provision and improvement of both software and hardware the early warning system will be able to provide accurate forecasting based on reliable data, analysis and distribution systems for efficient response and recovery 

•    Improve resilience at the community level by working directly with and empowering the local population through mitigation, adaptation and response to disasters measures and providing them with socioeconomic to particularly vulnerable households from selected district prone to disasters.

The project will achieve the following four outputs: 

Output 1: Institutions at national, district and community level have improved technical capacities to reduce risks, manage and respond to natural disasters and limit gender-differentiated impacts 

Output 2: Population, local authorities and national institutions have increased knowledge and skills of risks from evidence-based disaster risk assessments 

Output 3: Enhanced multi hazard early warning systems to enable effective preparedness, response and recovery 

Output 4: Communities in selected high-risk districts have strengthened capacity to mitigate, adapt and respond to disaster risks.
 

2. JYA MBERE PROJECT (Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities-SEIRHC)  

Jya Mbere (Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities - SEIRHCP) Project aims at improving access to basic services and economic opportunities for refugees and host communities and supports environmental management in target areas in Rwanda; Gatsibo, Gisagara, Karongi, Nyamagabe, and Kirehe districts hosting respectively refugee camps of Nyabiheke, Mugombwa, Kiziba, Kigeme, and Mahama as well as Kigali city, Huye, Bugesera, and Gicumbi districts.

How does the project contribute to the socio-economic progress of both refugees and host communities?

Jya Mbere Project will improve access to basic services and expand economic opportunities for both refugees and host communities who live in the above-mentioned districts. Host communities suffer from the same development constraints as refugees such as limited employment opportunities, a high ratio of students in classrooms, and dependence on low-income agriculture for livelihood. While relations are generally good between refugees and host communities, the project will promote continued peaceful co-existence by mitigating the negative impacts of refugee presence by providing equitable access to project benefits to both groups and by promoting joint economic activities.

How does the project add value to the current development efforts?

Jya Mbere project is aligned with the country’s initiative of promoting private-sector-led income generation and employment for refugees and host communities. It will support social and economic infrastructures in rural areas to enhance access to basic services, road connectivity, and market opportunities. This contributes to the creation of jobs and improvement of the productivity of people with low income through development and social protection. Jya Mbere project aligns with National Strategy for Transformation that highlights human development, environmental sustainability, and private-sector-driven growth as priorities.

3. PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES PROJECT

This project seeks to ensure the protection and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda. The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) on behalf of the Government of Rwanda ensures the protection of refugees and asylum seekers.

Over 80% of the refugees’ population is located in the five refugee camps of Rwanda, while just under 20% of the population lives in the greater urban areas of Kigali and Huye districts. 

MINEMA in coordination with UNHCR continues to ensure the delivery of protection and multi-sector assistance by project partners to refugees residing in the five refugee camps, two reception centers (Gatore and Nyanza), three transit centers (Nyarushishi in Rusizi District and Kijote in Nyabihu District, and Gashora Transit Center in Bugesera District) and to asylum seekers in the urban areas mainly in Kigali and Huye.

MINEMA also continues to be responsible for the overall camp management, security, and safety of the persons of concern.