Country Description:

From 1984 to 1994, CARE Rwanda implemented a range of development projects, including maternal health care, forestry and water and sanitation activities. As a result of the civil war in Rwanda, CARE closed its Kigali office from April to July 1994 while conducting cross-border relief from Uganda to 150,000 displaced people in eastern Rwanda, and from Burundi and Zaire (now DRC) to 120,000 displaced in southwest Rwanda. Emergency operations included the distribution of shelter, food, basic domestic survival items, water, seeds and tools. At the height of the emergency efforts in 1994, CARE Rwanda assisted an estimated 1.5 million internally displaced people, refugee returnees and impoverished local residents. CARE has since has built a significant rehabilitation and development program. Early activities included the distribution of seeds, tools and food in Byumba, Gikongoro, Gitarama, Kibungo and Kigali Prefectures, reaching 210,000 families (approximately 1,050,000 people), as well as the distribution of food and non-food items to returning refugees passing through the transit centers in Butare and Gisenyi.

CARE Rwanda is currently working in six prefectures in response to expressed needs and requests of relevant government ministries. CARE supports collaboration and partnership across all programming sectors with: (1) the ministries of agriculture, rehabilitation, health, public works, environment and tourism, and family and promotion of women; (2) local authorities at prefecture and commune levels; and (3) registered local and international NGOs. Projects now include STD/AIDS prevention, water-system rehabilitation and community management of water systems, health education, agroforestry and sustainable land use management, community-assisted shelter projects and promotion of women's agricultural production.