CARE International (Rwanda)

From 1984 to 1994, CARE Rwanda implemented a range of development projects, including maternal health care, forestry and water and sanitation activities. As a result of the civil war in Rwanda, we closed our Kigali office from April to July 1994 while conducting cross-border relief from Uganda to 150,000 displaced people in eastern Rwanda, and from Burundi and Zaire (now DRC) to 120,000 displaced in southwest Rwanda. Emergency operations included the distribution of shelter, food, basic domestic survival items, water, seeds and tools.

At the height of the emergency efforts in 1994, CARE Rwanda assisted an estimated 1.5 million internally displaced people, refugee returnees and impoverished local residents. CARE has since has built a significant rehabilitation and development program.

CARE Rwanda is currently working in six prefectures in response to expressed needs and requests of relevant government ministries. Projects now include AIDS prevention, water-system rehabilitation and community management of water systems, health education, agroforestry and sustainable land use management, community-assisted shelter projects and promotion of women's agricultural production.