A total of 115 Burundian refugees from 58 households were on Tuesday, November 25, voluntarily repatriated from Rwanda with the support from the government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Rwanda currently hosts 52,862 Burundian refugees, including 42,421 in Mahama Camp and the rest in urban areas. ALSO READ: Refugee welfare: Eight things Rwanda has done to improve their lives Since August 2020, 30,907 Burundian refugees have returned to their home country. Over the years, Rwanda, working with the UNHCR and other partners, has strengthened refugee welfare through improved access to healthcare, education, and essential services. For example, refugees are integrated into the national community-based health insurance scheme. Camps have also benefited from better water access, clean cooking solutions such as gas and solar energy, and nutrition programmes targeting mothers and young children. Rwanda has also further promoted economic inclusion through initiatives like the Jya Mbere project, which supports small businesses, and the FI4R programme, which advances digital banking and financial literacy.
