Rwanda — humanitarian situation

Rwanda's humanitarian situation is primarily defined by its role as host to refugee populations and regional disease preparedness efforts. As of May 2026, the country continues to provide asylum to refugees, notably from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with (UNHCR) reporting on population movements across the East African Community region. In May, (WFP) reached 178,345 people through distribution of 311 metric tons of food and USD 507,207 in cash-based transfers, providing vital assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees hosted in the country. The primary emerging concern is cross-border disease surveillance related to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in neighboring DRC and Uganda. As of 14 June, the outbreak had produced 827 confirmed cases with 194 fatalities in DRC and Uganda, signaling intense ongoing transmission (IFRC). Rwanda has been identified as an at-risk country requiring enhanced preparedness measures. (IFRC) is prepositioning supplies in Rwanda alongside Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan as part of a 2.9 million Swiss franc supply chain operation to support regional outbreak response. (IOM) has conducted over one million health screenings at borders and along key cross-border routes across Ebola-affected and at-risk countries, supporting efforts to contain the outbreak's spread through enhanced surveillance of human mobility patterns. Food assistance operations face significant funding constraints. (WFP) requires USD 13.1 million to sustain operations for the next six months from June through November 2026, representing 53 percent of total funding requirements for planned activities. Of this amount, USD 10.2 million is urgently needed to ensure continuation of vital food assistance for targeted refugees, asylum seekers, and returnees. Without this funding, critical support to vulnerable populations risks interruption during the second half of 2026.