In 2020, the Rwanda operation experienced challenges in mobilizing sufficient funding to cover basic needs and maintain the necessary level of life-saving assistance. Although refugees’ reliance on food assistance remains high, with more than 80% of refugees’ income from UNHCR and WFP cash assistance, the cash provided was still insufficient to meet their food needs. Refugees reported that cash assistance only lasted between 2 to 3 weeks due to the high cost of food in the market. Neither UNHCR nor WFP managed to increase the food and NFI cash entitlement to cover for the deficit and resulting in reduced food consumption scores.
The nutrition status of persons of concern in all camps was within standards (2.7% GAM) according to May 2019 SENS. However, unweighted stunting prevalence and anaemia prevalence among children aged between 6 to 59 months remained high in all camps, and only 45% of children aged between 6-59 months were enrolled in feeding programs.
As indicated, children comprise 50% of the refugee population. This entails the need for availing child-friendly spaces. Spaces for children and youth remained limited in all camps, and the operation had no resources to expand existing child-friendly spaces.
Following the MoH review of health facilities in all camps which resulted in recommendations on changes and upgrades required for facilities to earn accreditation, UNHCR could not implement some of the recommendations. Among them, were hiring of additional staff and major infrastructure works to meet health centre standards.
Infrastructure improvements and recruitment of additional teachers were also needed to ensure the integration of education facilities in Kiziba camp. End 2019, there were 90 students per classroom in Paysannat L school (Mahama) and the school had to operate a double shift system due to shortage of classroom blocks.
WASH activities were carried out in all camps. However, the funding gap entailed radical reprioritization of needs. The operation was unable to maintain WASH facilities or expand existing structures adequately. Similarly, despite the existing ban on plastic in Rwanda, UNHCR does not have enough funding to support the transformation of all shelters roof from plastic to iron sheets. Shelter needs became critical in Mahama where land is no longer available for new shelters and the GoR directed UNHCR to maximize the space by building upwards. In the Congolese camps, only 41% of female-headed households were living in adequate shelter as the operation could not rehabilitate some 1,700 shelters that required a complete overhaul.
The topography of the land and soil erosion in the Congolese camps are some factors putting refugees in the camps at risks of natural hazards. Ravines continued to degenerate at a rapid pace, affecting shelters, energy infrastructure and a cemetery in one case. However, the funding level of the humanitarian response did not allow to address environmental degradation, including landslides. Also, the supply of potable water was way below the minimum standard in Gihembe, Nyabiheke and Kigeme. There were also recurrent challenges with the maintenance and the dislodging of existing latrine blocks in all camps. These critical needs could not be addressed adequately due to lack of funding.
Though livelihood activities remain central to the achievement of the MYMPP Strategy and the economic inclusion of refugees, only 16,975 refugees were engaged in income-generating activities at the end of 2019. Lack of resources meant deprioritizing livelihoods for life-saving interventions.
Due to persistent resource constraints and the protracted character of the refugee situation in Rwanda, targeting is increasingly emerging as a mandatory option rather than a mere alternative. Socio-Economic profiling of the refugee population is required to anchor a shift from blanket assistance to a more targeted approach.
Moreover, the cease of the US resettlement will limit the refugees' durable solutions.