Rwanda's history has been marked by conflicts and tensions related to ethnicity, politics and power. These contradictions were reinforced during Belgian colonial rule, and culminated in genocide in 1994, when it is estimated that about one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. In the aftermath of the atrocities, about two million Rwandans fled to neighbouring countries, many of them to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo).
Norwegian Church Aid's main effort in Rwanda is to contribute in various ways to the reconciliation initiatives taking place in the wake of the genocide. For example, it is often a major challenge for local communities when people convicted of participating in the genocide are released from prison and return home. Therefore, we have a project in which we prepare prisoners before their release, while at the same time working with the community they will re-enter to live alongside those who survived the genocide.
Another important area of focus for Norwegian Church Aid is contributing to the repatriation of Rwandese rebels across the border between Rwanda and Congo, where there are major challenges related to Rwandan armed groups remaining in Congo.
Norwegian Church Aid works through local partners who are organised into geographical clusters to ensure the best quality work and close coordination.
Our work
NCA's efforts in the Great Lakes region (Congo, Rwanda and Burundi) began in 1994 with emergency aid to the Rwandans who had fled to neighbouring Congo because of the genocide. Since then, our efforts have turned from emergency relief to more long-term development work.
Faith communities and peace building: In Rwanda, as in other countries in the region, the vast majority of citizens are active in a religious community. Religious actors are therefore important in Rwanda, and they have great potential as peacebuilders, both at local and regional levels. Norwegian Church Aid will help to strengthen the inter-religious and inter-regional peacebuilding cooperation, especially between Rwanda and Congo. A key aspect of this is supporting processes associated with the repatriation and reintegration of Rwandan rebels who have been based in Congo.
Livelihood and trade: Agriculture is still the mainstay of Rwanda's economy. About 90% of the population works in this sector, mainly in subsistence farming. Rwanda is Africa's most densely populated country and, with increasing pressure on arable land, it is essential to establish good agricultural practises and mechanisms for selling agricultural products. The country consists mostly of hills and knolls; therefore it is also important to build terraces for cultivation and for the prevention of soil erosion. Together with our partners, we provide training so that people can better utilise the land and adopt more efficient production methods.
We work to increase knowledge of economic rights and to contribute to sustainable livelihoods for the Batwa, Rwanda's indigenous people. This group is among the poorest and most disadvantaged in the country.
Moreover, we work with a solar cell project, in which we ensure that people in rural areas have access to environmentally friendly electricity. Through this project, we teach people about both the use and maintenance of solar cell panels.
Water, sanitation and hygiene: We support communities in securing sustainable access to water, through measures such as rainwater harvesting. In addition, we spread lifesaving knowledge about hygiene and build sanitation facilities.
Community violence and small arms control: An important element in reconciliation and peacbuilding work is the reduction of the number of small arms still in circulation. Norwegian Church Aid supports both educational and concrete work to collect and destroy weapons.
Coordination through the ACT Alliance
Norwegian Church Aid seeks to revitalise the ACT Forum in Rwanda and include Rwandan organisations. Currently, only Norwegian Church Aid and Christian Aid represent the ACT Alliance in Rwanda. The two organisations work closely together, sharing office facilities and administration in Kigali. In the coming years, we will also look at opportunities for further cooperation in our programmes.