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Rwanda
>> Regional Overview >> Rwanda Overview
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Last updated: 22
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Eight years after the 1994 genocide, Rwanda continues to recover from the devastating loss of human capacity and destruction of much of its basic social and economic infrastructure. Serious threats to security are ongoing, with intermittent rebel incursions into Rwanda, turmoil in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and current tension with former ally Uganda.
Over 60% of Rwanda's eight million people live below the poverty line. The health sector continues to face severe problems with average life expectancy dropping to 40 years, and an infant mortality rate of 107 per 1,000 births. HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined with the lack of child and reproductive health services and adequate nutrition are the main causes of morbidity and mortality. The process of demobilizing and reintegrating tens of thousands of ex-combatants and the expected release of tens of thousands more prisoners under gacaca, the traditional legal process to try genocide-related crimes that begins this year, will pose even greater challenges to security and economic development. These groups are expected to contribute to an increase in the overall rate of HIV/AIDS infection, presently estimated at 11% for Rwandan adults.
Average adult literacy rate is 52%; average of 5.8 births per woman; 51% of civil servants have not completed secondary school. Rwanda is characterized by weak democratic institutions. While the government is developing democratic governmental processes, help is needed to ensure transparency and inclusiveness. The first local elections in Rwanda's history were held in 2001. The justice system is being strengthened to fairly and efficiently address the backlog of over 120,000 untried cases for genocide-related crimes. Local governments are beginning to assume responsibility for many of the social services previously maintained by the central government. The government is involved in an impressive effort to educate and inform citizens of their rights and responsibilities under a more pluralistic system.
The high population growth rate (over 3%), in a country that is already densely populated (317 people/square kilometer), results in a tremendous pressure on the land and on the environment. An estimated 91% of the working population is engaged in agriculture at the subsistence level with the average farm size decreasing from 2.5 acres in 1991 to 1.75 acres in 2000. Current farming practices often result in severe erosion, which in turn causes a decline in soil fertility and increases the over-use of hazardous pesticides, resulting in numerous environmental problems.
The U.S. national interest in Rwanda is primarily humanitarian-to reduce the possibility of future ethnic violence and humanitarian catastrophes. A second, equally important U.S. national interest in Rwanda is peace and stability in the region. A healthy, educated and productively employed population living in a democratic environment will accomplish this goal.
USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $24.687 million FY 2003 Request: $29.152 million The USAID program is well-focussed and targeted to address Rwanda's challenges. The following Program Data Sheets cover in more detail the three objectives for which USAID is requesting funds, and the specific activities to be funded by FY 2002 and 2003 appropriations. These three objectives concentrate on institutional enhancements in food security and economic growth through investment in the agricultural sector, the continued development of the rule of law and transparency in governance, and the improvement and availability of health services. The USAID program utilizes HIV/AIDS funds to promote behavior change, provide care and support to infected persons, and assist vulnerable children and families. HIVAIDS prevention and mitigation, gender, and conflict prevention are cross-cutting themes that are being addressed under all three objectives. FY 2002 funds will be used to implement the programs as currently planned and previously described in last year's Congressional Budget Justification.
OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: P.L. 480 food aid continues to be an integral part of USAID's program in FY 2002 and 2003. Food aid supports efforts to improve agricultural productivity and increase food security. Under the Leland Initiative, USAID also intends to use FY 2002 funds to carry out new activities in the area of information communication technology. Child Survival grants are funded by the Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Bureau.
OTHER DONORS: Donor coordination is good. The United Kingdom and the United States are Rwanda's first and second largest bilateral partners. USAID, along with the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Switzerland, Belgium and the United Nations Development Program actively coordinate activities related to national unity and reconciliation
Other major bilateral donors and their principle areas of focus, include Germany (conflict management and civic education), Belgium (judicial matters), United Kingdom (education), Sweden (human rights and social sector restructuring), Switzerland (civil society), France (policy), Canada (gender) and the Netherlands (justice and decentralization). Multilateral donors include the United Nation agencies, the European Union, the World Bank (social sector restructuring), the International Monetary Fund (economic credits and loans) and the African Development Bank.
Program Data Sheets
- 696-001 Increased Rule of Law and Transparency in Governance
- 696-002 Increased Use of Sustainable Health Services in Target Areas
- 696-003 Increased Ability of Rural Families in Targeted Communities to Improve Household Food Security
Country Background Information Resources
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
