While Rwanda has one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and, in recent years, has moved 17 places up the Human Development Index ranking, the country continues to face significant challenges.
“Almost all participants owned their own house by the end of the program, compared to 45% at the beginning of the period. In addition, they were also able to double their ownership of productive assets and increase the area of land they farmed, while the proportion of participants owning domestic animals, such as goats and pigs, increased more than 10 times.”
— Chris Pain, Head of Technical Assistance, Concern Worldwide
Since the 1994 genocide, wherein over 800,000 people were killed in a period of 100 days, Rwanda has made remarkable progress. Generally, peace and stability have been maintained within the country’s borders and there have been noted improvements in economic growth. However chronic malnutrition and poverty still exist among many of Rwanda’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
*We are currently responding to the threat of COVID-19 in Rwanda. Find out more about our response here.
While Rwanda in recent years has moved 17 places up the Human Development Index ranking to 151 out of 187, the country continues to face significant challenges. 39% of the population are still living in poverty and 16% in extreme poverty.
This largely affects rural areas of the country: According to the United Nations’ Multidimensional Poverty Index, rural areas of Rwanda experience a higher poverty rate of 42% (compared to 15% in urban areas).
Chronic malnutrition and malaria also remain serious challenges. Our Graduation program in Rwanda focuses on the bridge between financial empowerment and nutrition, and our community-based health programs are addressing access to healthcare in remote areas.
We adapted our Graduation program to help homeless families first obtain land and build houses before starting and completing the program. So far this approach has supported 162 families.
In July 2019, livestock breeders in Gisagara District, including program participants who had invested in livestock as one of the income-generating activities, lost their pigs and goats due to an epidemic. We responded, providing additional support to 126 families.
Concern is the co-chair of Rwanda's Social Protection Policy Development and Learning Committee. Most recently, we advocated for a minimum package for Graduation in the government's social protection program.
Our programs in Rwanda employ innovative techniques and models, such as linking agriculture and nutrition and applying the Graduation model, to help sustainably break the cycle of poverty.
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
© 2023 Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc
