CARE Rwanda was formed in 1984, having been invited by the Rwandan government to establish a comprehensive development program. At the time, the majority of the population was rural and reliant on subsistence agriculture, and a host to a number of refugees. As a result, deforestation for energy was resulting in land erosion and degradation, thus the early years of CARE’s work in Rwanda focused on reforestation and environmental protection.
Emergency reconstruction and rehabilitation formed the backbone of CARE Rwanda’s programming from 1994 – 1999 in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. From there, HIV/Aids and orphans and Vulnerable Children became the focus, followed by Economic and Social Empowerment, and Women’s Rights.
In 2017, CARE launched its new Rwanda program strategy, identifying women and girls (10-59) in categories 1 and 2 of Rwanda’s Ubudehe poverty ranking, as those most in need of empowerment and support. This development programming is complemented by emergency programming addressing the needs of disaster-affected populations, particularly refugees.
CARE Rwanda is at the forefront of the work for Gender Justice in Rwanda, using established and proven intervention models for transformation and impact. CARE Rwanda prioritises partnership with local organisations with established community relationships, for long term, sustainable impact.