The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) inform all refugees in Rwanda that some of the assistance they receive will not be provided until the end of 2023. Other aspects of assistance will be reduced due to a significant decrease in resources designated for refugee support.
Assistance that will not be provided include: Cash assistance for non-food items; cash assistance for energy/gas for refugees living in Nyabiheke, Kigeme and Kiziba camps; gas distributions will continue in Mahama and Mugombwa refugee camps due to existing stocks available; referrals to healthcare services outside of the camp are limited to emergency cases only.
Cash food assistance in November 2023, will be cut as follows: Refugees now receiving 10,000 Frw will get 8,500 Frw, and those receiving 5,000 Frw will get 4,250 Frw. This reduction will not apply to assistance given to refugees under special nutrition programmes, students, and Rwandan returnees.
MINEMA, UNHCR and WFP continue to advocate for continued assistance for refugees. Refugees are encouraged to find job opportunities and engage in livelihood activities to become self-reliant and take advantage of different initiatives set up by the government to uplift refugees.
In the near future, refugees will be informed of assistance delivery in the year 2024. (End)