Mahama (Rwanda) : several humanitarian NGOs close their doors, refugees in limbo

The humanitarian situation in the Mahama refugee camp, in eastern Rwanda, is rapidly deteriorating. Several NGOs have announced the closure of their programs, while others are drastically reducing their staff. The cause : the suspension of American aid, a consequence of the Trump administration’s measures.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Among the affected NGOs, Prison Fellowship, which had taken over from Handicap International and LAF (Legal Aid Forum) for legal assistance, will cease its activities as of April 1, 2025.

In the areas of education, environment, water, and sanitation, World Vision has reduced almost two-thirds of its staff.

“Out of 227 employees, only 67 remain,” confided an internal source.

The situation is equally worrying for Save the Children, which worked in the health sector.

The organization has reduced its staff by more than half, and the Rwandan government will now have to take over this area.

Funding cut at source

All these NGOs justify their withdrawal by the lack of funding, caused by the closure of USAID, the U.S. development agency that provided more than 80% of the funds for their interventions.

Alarming consequences for refugees

The reduction or cessation of services is already having a direct impact on refugees. One of the first visible effects is the cessation of emergency referrals to referral hospitals.

Refugees express their distress at this situation : “The risk is that all services will close, including schools. Imagine if the UNHCR and the WFP were also short of resources! We are truly in a critical situation. We are asking donors, especially Western embassies, to advocate for us.”

An overcrowded camp in danger

The Mahama camp is home to more than 65,000 refugees, including over 40,000 Burundians and a significant number of Congolese. If alternative solutions are not found quickly, the humanitarian situation could worsen badly.

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A bus carrying Congolese refugees crosses a street in the Mahama camp, September 24, 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)