Resettlement Assistance

Rwanda hosts thousands of refugees, mostly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi. IOM Rwanda works to find long-term sustainable solutions for individuals who have spent years living in camps. IOM Rwanda resettles refugees to third countries, mainly to the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and various countries across Europe.

IOM Rwanda works closely with the Government of Rwanda, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), non-government organizations and other partners. The resettlements process begins with UNHCR where they identify, interview and submit refugee cases to countries for resettlement consideration. Subsequently, under cooperative agreements with those same countries, IOM’s resettlement services —logistics support to selection missions, medical screenings, pre-departure briefings, fitness to travel checks, movement assistance — take place. Upon arrival, resettlement countries provide refugees with legal and physical protection, including access to civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights similar to those enjoyed by nationals. Most refugees eventually become naturalized citizens of their country of resettlement.

From 2010 to December 2021, IOM Rwanda facilitated resettlement activities and final departures for 19,143 refugees. Third Country Resettlement movement of refugees and the relevant activities to facilitate orderly migration is a significant role of IOM Rwanda’s programmes.