The European Union (EU) has pledged €10 million (about 14 billion Rwandan francs) to support refugees in Rwanda, in a move aimed at strengthening existing cooperation with the Rwandan government on refugee protection, disaster management and resilience.
The pledge was announced during a meeting between EU Ambassador Belen Calvo Uyarra and Minister of Emergency Management Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira.
Uyarra said the support will help refugees in Rwanda become self-reliant and gradually transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable livelihoods.
“The European Union’s €10 million contribution will support the implementation of Rwanda’s refugee self-reliance strategy, helping refugees move from dependence on aid to self-sufficiency, even as humanitarian funding declines,” she said.
Murasira thanked the EU for its continued partnership and contributions to both refugee support and disaster preparedness initiatives.
“We appreciate the European Union’s consistent support to Rwanda’s efforts to assist refugees and strengthen our disaster management programs,” he said.
Rwanda currently hosts more than 140,000 refugees, mostly from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, according to the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA). The government integrates refugees into national programs in education, health care, and employment, as part of its inclusive development approach.
Murasira reaffirmed this commitment last month during the 76th Session of the UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva, noting that Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) emphasizes refugee inclusion in economic and social development. The policy aligns with the Global Compact on Refugees, which promotes self-reliance and local integration.
Last year, Rwanda announced that refugees would be covered under the national community-based health insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé), giving them the same access to medical services as other citizens.
A June 2025 FinScope study found that 99% of refugees in Rwanda have access to financial services. About 37% have bank accounts, while 62% use non-bank financial systems. The report also showed 85% use mobile money services, and 91% are registered with national identification systems.
Rwanda’s inclusive refugee policies have been praised globally for bridging humanitarian aid and long-term development.
