Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (Rwanda)

In the Great Lakes region, Switzerland is committed to peace and the fight against poverty. Its support covers the areas of governance and protection of civilians, health and economic development. Switzerland's interventions are implemented through its three foreign policy instruments: development cooperation, humanitarian aid and peace policy.

The three countries of the region (Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo DRC) constitute a common geographical space composed of populations interconnected by language, culture, trade and family ties. The region, however, remains divided by a conflicting past that has torn the socio-political fabric and led to violent conflicts that have inflicted immense suffering on the population. The signing of peace agreements and the organization of elections have not yet made it possible to consolidate peace and put an end to hostilities. The consequences of the COVID-19 crisis come on top of the challenges the region is already facing.

In this context, Switzerland intervenes within the framework of a regional program which engages its various international cooperation instruments with the aim of strengthening existing regional ties and mitigating recurring crises. Switzerland's interventions mainly concern the areas of governance, health and economic development.