Rwanda Podium

UNHCR Operational Update Rwanda, July 2023

On 24 and 26 July, UNHCR organized the transfer of 1,395 asylum seekers from Nkamira transit center to Mahama refugee camp to prevent overcrowding. The new arrivals are currently accommodated in existing empty shelters in the camp.

Social Tuesday 15 August 2023

9,952 urban based refugees and UNHCR assisted boarding school students were enrolled in the community-based health insurance scheme (CBHI) for the year July 2023 – June 2024.

Harvests took place in July at Nyabicwamba and Mushishito marshlands. In Nyabicwamba marshland, approximately 17 tons of soyabeans were harvested, while in Mushishto marshland 106,400 kgs of maize was harvested.

Nkamira transit camp

91% of refugees in Rwanda live in refugee camps

4,762 refugees have departed for resettlement & 63 departed through complementary pathways in 2023

Operational Context & Partners

The Government of Rwanda (GoR), through Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA), leads the refugee response in Rwanda in coordination with UNHCR.

In addition, a range of UN Agencies, NGOs, operational and development partners participate in sector working groups at both country and district levels.

Mahama camp

133,628 refugees and asylum seekers are in Rwanda as of 31 Jul 2023. Mainly including people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (61.4%) and Burundi (38%).

About 8,110 new asylum seekers from DRC are awaiting formal registration.

Different way for facitating the refugee integration

In 2023, UNHCR works directly with seven NGO partners in implementing key activities to assist both the refugee population and Rwandan host communities.

To further strengthen the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, UNHCR maintains close collaboration with key government institutions and ministries.