Cordaid

Cordaid was established in 2000 when several Dutch aid organisations joined forces. But our history goes back more than a century.

One of our predecessors, People in Need, was founded in 1914 to meet the needs of more than one million refugees who fled to the Netherlands during the First World War.

1925 was the birth year of Memisa, another member of the Cordaid family. It became a leading organisation in the field of health care in developing countries.

For decades, Cordaid’s various branches have provided health care, famine relief, shelter, and other forms of assistance.

As of 2021, ICCO and Cordaid have joined forces. By doing so we have increased our impact in addressing today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges, defragmented the Dutch development sector, and adapted to the needs of international development.

Despite significant achievements in reducing poverty, advancing gender equality, agriculture, and education, 41% of Rwanda's population is estimated to be undernourished. A lack of access to financial services for farmers also limits the growth of the agricultural sector.

Across Rwanda, Cordaid works with both the government and companies to give business owners access to microfinance, further develop the private sector and improve food security.