Since 2009, almost 90,178 Rwandans returned to Rwanda. In 2018 total of 3,059 persons repatriated, representing almost six times decrease compared to 2017 mainly due to delays in provision of cash assistance. In 2020 some 3,000 returnees are expected to repatriate. Rwandan returnees face considerable challenges to their reintegration given the length of their stay in exile, their education level, and difficulty to access adequate shelter and access to livelihood opportunities. Main basic needs for families include shelter, education for their children, health and income generation opportunities.
In 2020, UNHCR will prioritize and continue to provide multi-purpose cash grants for returnees. UNHCR will work closely with MINEMA to ensure that the verification process at village/cell level is accelerated so returnees can receive their assistance not later than one month upon arrival. Since the biometric verification of Rwandan refugees is progressing in DRC and cases of fraud are brought to the minimum, UNHCR will advocate with the authorities to revert the provision of cash grants at the transit centres as in 2017 to ensure that returnees return to their places of origin with assistance available.
Kijote and Nyarushishi transit centres were opened in 2016 with capacity of 450 and 700 respectively. The operation will continue to maintain these two transit centers with limited maintenance of Nyanza transit centre. UNHCR will closely work with MINEMA to ensure that issuance of health insurance to returnees is consistent to ensure medical coverage upon their return to their places of origin. The Operation will continue to provide basic services in health, shelter and WASH to cater for the basic needs of returnees while they stay at the transit centres. Three months food rations will continue to be provided in-kind to help returnees in the transition period until they receive the multi-purpose cash grants. Facilitation of transportation from transit centres to districts/sectors will continue. Monitoring of reintegration of returnees will be reinforced including post-distribution monitoring of provision of multi-purpose cash grants.
2020