UNHCR Reports Significant Refugee Movements and Support Programs in Rwanda (2020-2025)

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that between 2020 and 2024, over 20,694 refugees hosted in Rwanda have been resettled in other countries.

As of June 30, 2025, Rwanda was hosting a total of 136,713 refugees, primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi.

The majority of refugees—91%—reside in Kigeme camps, which houses 14,442 individuals, followed by Kiziba with 13,954, Mugombwa with 12,147, Nyabiheke with 11,803, and Mahama with over 68,000 refugees.

In Kigali City, 8,987 refugees live across various areas, including 3,171 in Nkamira Transitional Camp, 1,990 in Nyamata, and 757 in Huye. Rwanda also hosts refugees under the UNHCR’s Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM), providing temporary shelter to Libyan refugees seeking permanent resettlement solutions.

Refugees in Rwanda comprise over 54% women, 46% men, and 44% young people aged between 16 and 30.

Since 2020, more than 30,000 Burundian refugees have voluntarily returned home, although over 50,000 remain in Rwanda. Among these, 21.7% live in urban areas, while the rest are in Mahama Camp in Kirehe District.

Rwanda has made considerable efforts to integrate refugees, enabling many to live similarly to Rwandans through various development programs. Refugees from the DRC, who have been in Rwanda for over 25 years, now participate in government initiatives, engaging in trade, agriculture, and income-generating activities, with improved access to healthcare, education, and vital documents.

The country also collaborates with UN partners to facilitate refugee resettlement to other nations. Resettlement involves transferring refugees from their initial host country to a third country that permanently admits them.

Data shows that in 2020, 1,063 refugees were resettled internationally; this number increased to 2,506 in 2021, 3,677 in 2022, and reached 7,826 in 2023. In 2024, 5,622 refugees found host countries.

Among those resettled, there are 337 from Burundi, three from Cameroon, one from Chad, and 18,373 from the DRC. Some moved to Europe and the Americas, with notable numbers going to countries such as the United States (12,686), Canada (2,528), and Australia (324). European countries like Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark have also resettled Rwandan refugees.

In November 2024, MINEMA announced that since 2006, more than 36,000 refugees in Rwandan camps have been resettled in host countries.

Beyond resettlement, Rwanda continues to support refugees through various national programs, including financial inclusion; the FinScope 2024 Survey indicates that 99% of refugees have access to financial services.

Additionally, over 40,000 refugee students enrolled in Rwandan educational institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, highlighting ongoing efforts to promote refugee integration and development.