Standing with refugees to celebrate the World Refugee Day
![](/rw/sites/rw/files/legacy-images/img-13299-0.jpg)
Standing with refugees to celebrate the World Refugee Day
The Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees (MIDIMAR) together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) joined hands with refugees hosted in Rwanda to celebrate the World Refugee Day on 20 June 2018 themed “With Refugees”.
The celebrations of the main event at the national level took place in Nyabiheke refugee camp located in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province. Yet, the day was celebrated in the whole country in all camps hosting refugees as well as in urban areas namely Huye and Kigali.
Rwanda has consistently expressed commitment to its international obligation to receive and protect refugees fleeing conflicts in their countries. Rwanda is currently hosting nearly 153,000 refugees mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
![](/rw/sites/rw/files/legacy-images/img-13299-doc-0.jpg)
In the context of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), investments are being made in refugee hosting areas with a view to increasingly integrate services within national government systems and allow refugees to participate in local economies so that they can increase their level of self-reliance and contribute to the communities in which they live. As part of its longstanding commitment for refugees, the Government of Rwanda is engaged since 2018 in the CRRF’s whole-of-society approach in refugee response, focusing on four commitments related to health, education, documentation and livelihoods. With the timely arrival of the CRRF in Rwanda, UNHCR and partners will work with the Government to ensure that refugees are provided with opportunities to succeed, not only survive.
“With the enrolment of refugees in the National Development Initiatives, both host and refugee communities will be enabled to enhance their self-reliance and improve their common living environment,” said the Minister, DE BONHEUR Jeanne d’Arc.
“The Government of Rwanda in partnership with different stakeholders will continue to ensure its contribution to the wellbeing of refugees through access to education, health care, documentation and socio-economic initiatives,” the Minister added.
The UNHCR Country Representative to Rwanda, Ahmed Baba Fall on behalf of the High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi relayed his message reminding people that helping refugees to rebuild their lives needs all of us – working together is critical so that they can achieve what most of us take for granted - education, a place to live, a job, being part of a community. Over time, the impact is enormous – for refugee families and those who welcome them.
The country continues to show empathy towards the refugees that have lived in the country for over 20 years in some camps.
“In today’s world, no community or country providing safe refuge to people fleeing war or persecution should be alone and unsupported. We stand together, or we fail,” stated Fodé Ndiaye, the UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda on behalf of the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres.
Official Statement
Read the Statement by UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi on World Refugee Day 2018
Read the Message by United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres on World Refugee Day 2018
PHOTOS: Commemorating the World Refugee Day 2018 in Rwanda – Kigali event
PHOTOS: Commemorating the World Refugee Day 2018 in Rwanda – Nyabiheke event
-END-