Socio-economic Inclusion of Refugees & Host Communities in Rwanda Project

active

The objective of the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Refugees and Host Communities in Rwanda Project is to improve access to basic services and economic opportunities for refugees and host communities, and support environmental management, in the target areas in Rwanda. There are four components to the project, the first component being access to basic services and socio-economic investments. This component will also enable the delivery of key steps outlined in the SP to achieve integrated education by upgrading school facilities near the camps. It can also support facility construction or upgrade and training for technical and vocational education. The component will also finance socio-economic investments to upgrade or rehabilitate roads connecting refugees and host communities to economic opportunities and market infrastructure near the camps to promote economic activity and social integration. This component includes two subcomponents: access to basic services, and socio-economic investments. The second component is the economic opportunity. This component will support implementation of the government’s commitment to improve refugee self-reliance, as described in the strategic plan for refugee inclusion. Drawing on analysis from a joint government-World Bank study on economic opportunity and activity, it will expand economic opportunities and promote access to finance and private sector investment in the six districts hosting refugee camps. The approach will be market-driven and consistent with local economic development plans. Opportunities will be open to both refugees and host communities. This component includes two subcomponents: access to finance for refugees and Rwandan entrepreneurs, and capacity building for improved access to finance. The third component is the environmental management. The establishment of refugee camps has degraded the environment, creating tensions with host communities. Many camps are located on hilltops and have inadequate drainage systems. This has caused soil erosion and storm water run-off, leading to landslides and the formation of ravines. An environmental needs assessment conducted during project preparation identified other challenges, including the overexploitation of wood and non-timber forest products for cooking fuel and other purposes, contamination of water systems from poorly designed and managed refugee camp sanitation facilities and solid waste management. Finally, the fourth component is the project management and monitoring and evaluation. This component will strengthen the technical and administrative capacity of the government to manage the project. It will cover the costs of project management, implementation and supervision at MINEMA and the districts, including: (a) procurement and financial management (FM); (b) monitoring and evaluation; (c) progress reporting; and (d) compliance with safeguards policies.