The European Union (EU) has announced a financial contribution of more than 14 billion Rwandan francs to support Rwanda’s efforts in assisting refugees and improving their living conditions.
The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Rwanda, Belen Calvo Uyarra, during a meeting with the Minister of Emergency Management, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira. The two officials discussed strengthening existing cooperation between Rwanda and the EU in refugee protection, disaster prevention, and other humanitarian programs.
Ambassador Uyarra, who was accompanied by a delegation from the EU, informed the minister that the EU will provide Rwanda with a grant of 10 million euros—equivalent to over Rwf 14 billion—to support programs aimed at assisting refugees in the country.
Rwanda has continued to reaffirm its commitment to supporting refugees by integrating them into national development programs that include education, health, and employment opportunities.
Ambassador Uyarra explained that the grant is intended to help refugees achieve self-reliance. “The EU’s 10-million-euro contribution will support the implementation of Rwanda’s refugee empowerment strategies, helping them transition from dependency to self-sufficiency, even as humanitarian aid continues to decline,” she said in an interview with IGIHE.
Minister Murasira expressed his gratitude to the European Union for its continued support for refugees in Rwanda and for its contribution to the country’s disaster management programs. He emphasized Rwanda’s readiness to keep assisting refugees willing to return home while strengthening international cooperation to ensure that no refugee is left behind in development initiatives.
During the 76th Session of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 6–10, 2025, Minister Murasira highlighted that Rwanda’s commitment to refugee welfare aligns with the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), a five-year development plan aimed at accelerating national growth and inclusion.
The plan focuses on integrating refugees into national systems, building their skills, creating job opportunities, and ensuring access to financial, health, and education services. It is also consistent with the Global Compact on Refugees, which promotes global solidarity and sustainable solutions for refugee well-being.
Last year, the Rwandan government, through the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA), announced that refugees residing in Rwanda would be able to access healthcare through the Community-Based Health Insurance (Mutuelle de Santé) system, similar to Rwandan citizens.
Findings from the “FinScope 2024 Refugee Financial Inclusion Thematic” survey, released in June 2025, revealed that 99% of refugees in Rwanda have access to financial services. The study showed that 37% of refugees hold bank accounts, while 62% use non-bank financial services. Among refugees using banks, 42% are women and 30% are men.
Additionally, more than 55% of refugees engage in saving practices, with 32% saving through non-bank institutions and 31% through informal methods. About 85% (approximately 54,000 refugees) reported using Mobile Money services, while 76% (around 49,000 refugees) have registered Mobile Money accounts.
According to MINEMA, 91% of refugees in Rwanda are registered in civil status records and possess refugee identification cards. Recent figures show that Rwanda currently hosts over 140,000 refugees, mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.
