To mark International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8 each year, members of the Forum for Vigilant Memory (FMV) gathered at the NGO’s headquarters in Muhanga (Southern Province) to recognize the essential role of women in society.

A particularly significant part of the gathering was dedicated to couples’ training. Godefroid Sindayigaya, director of leadership and capacity building at the FMV, shared a message centered on the value and dignity of women, as well as the importance of love, respect, and unity within a marriage. Drawing on biblical references, he reminded the audience that women must be honored and respected, particularly by their husbands, and that relationships between couples must be founded on love, care, humility, and mutual respect.

He also emphasized that couples’ training is essential for building strong families, as the family is the basic unit of society. “When couples learn to respect and support one another, they help build stable, peaceful, and united communities,” said Mr. Godefroid.

In recognition of his commitment to promoting leadership, couple formation, and family stability, Mr. Godefroid Sindayigaya received a certificate of recognition awarded by the FMV. The meeting concluded in a friendly and fraternal atmosphere, with the shared conviction that every member of the FMV can contribute to building a society founded on remembrance, solidarity, peace, and the fight against poverty.

At the initiative of FMV Secretary General Jean de Dieu Niyongabo, this meeting brought together the organization’s members in a spirit of unity, dialogue, sharing, and mutual encouragement for future projects.

With this in mind, the head of the FMV’s education support project, Vincent Nzisabira, presented an initiative launched in 2019 aimed at supporting the education of vulnerable Burundian refugee children and youth. Thanks to the support of partners such as the Burundian Community of Texas (BCT) and Flaming Chalice International (FCI), 78 students were able to receive support throughout their educational journey.

However, since the 2024–2025 school year, the project has faced enormous difficulties due to the withdrawal of donors, prompting the organization to seek new partners to continue this mission.

The second presentation was given by Frédéric Niburana, CEO of SURAM Ltd, a social enterprise created to provide financial support for FMV’s activities.

Through various services, including printing, the sale of school supplies, the organization of training programs, consulting services, architecture, and construction, SURAM Ltd aims to generate sustainable resources to finance the organization’s social projects while promoting job creation for young people, women, and refugees.

The Forum for Vigilant Memory is an organization dedicated to promoting remembrance, education, and conflict prevention. Through its initiatives, the organization seeks to strengthen social cohesion, promote human rights, and support vulnerable populations, particularly refugees, immigrants, and returnees living in Rwanda.

Some pictures of the day:

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In line with its vision to contribute to the eradication of poverty in all its forms and to meeting the basic needs of the population, the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV) is implementing an activity promoting clean and sustainable cooking, as part of a project funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

This activity is part of the implementation of an innovative project led by the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV), which addresses global challenges related to energy insecurity, indoor air pollution, and environmental degradation, issues that particularly affect refugee communities and host communities. Access to clean cooking energy is considered by the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV) to be a fundamental need, closely linked to health, human dignity, and the economic empowerment of households.

A practical and participatory activity

The activity enabled the presentation and testing of multi-energy clean cookstoves designed to operate with various locally available fuels (improved biomass, charcoal, and wood). These solutions aim to reduce the consumption of traditional fuels, improve indoor air quality, and protect the environment. The activity also created a space for dialogue with communities, encouraging the sharing of good practices and raising awareness of energy and environmental issues.

Technical and Academic Expertise Supporting the Project

Jean de Dieu Niyongabo, Secretary General of FMV, recalls that: “Clean cooking must be approached as a collective and long-term endeavor. Organizations such as FMV can contribute through field-based actions, awareness-raising and advocacy, but the widespread adoption of these solutions requires strengthened coordination among public authorities, technical and financial partners, the private sector, and communities themselves.”

Within this framework, capacity building played a central role. The training was conducted in two phases: a first session took place on November 30, 2025, facilitated by Dr Jean de Dieu Iyakaremye and Ir. MSc Emmanuel Karikurubu, followed by a second session on December 20, 2025, facilitated by Dr Jean de Dieu Iyakaremye and Dr Athanase Dalson Gace.

The project also benefits from the support of these technical and academic experts, in addition to Ir. MSc Révérien Gahimbare, CEO of FMV.

Each brings specific expertise: Dr Iyakaremye, a specialist in energy systems, highlights the environmental and health impacts of traditional cooking methods, emphasizing the importance of improved cookstoves in reducing deforestation, black carbon emissions and indoor air pollution, while improving health outcomes and easing the economic burden related to fuel use; Dr Gace contributes expertise in environmental protection with a gender-sensitive approach, promoting the active participation of women and marginalized groups in sustainable resource management and environmental decision-making; Ir. MSc Karikurubu, an expert in Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE), ensures that the production and use of cookstoves comply with safety standards and protect beneficiaries.

This synergy of expertise ensures that the solutions proposed by FMV are technically sound, adapted to local needs, socially inclusive, and capable of generating sustainable impact.

A collective and inclusive approach

As an active partner in the initiative, the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV) underscores that this action is part of a collective effort, bringing together local communities, technical experts, financial partners, and other stakeholders committed to sustainable development. The activity highlighted the growing interest of communities in environmentally friendly cooking solutions and facilitated the sharing of best practices.

Through initiatives such as this one, the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV) contributes to supporting the transition toward sustainable energy practices, strengthening links between local actors and international partners in pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.

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Under the theme “BAOBAB ON THE RISE – NURTURING AFRICA’S FUTURE THROUGH ITS YOUTH,” the BAOBAB Summit 2025 brought together young African leaders committed to transforming the continent.

Among them was the Vice President and Alternate Legal Representative of the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV), Ir Réverien Gahimbare, who is currently pursuing a specialization in On-site Sanitation at the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with support from the MasterCard Foundation.

Although he participated as a MasterCard Foundation scholar and a Burundian refugee living in Rwanda, he seized this opportunity to highlight the values, mission, and achievements of FMV—an organization he co-founded and proudly represents.

As one of the “Speak Your Mind Contest Winners,” Ir Réverien Gahimbare, delivered a compelling speech urging Africa to change its perception of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. He emphasized that they should not be seen merely as aid beneficiaries but as economic actors, wealth creators, and builders of the continent’s future. He reminded the audience that across Africa, refugees and displaced persons already contribute to local development through entrepreneurship, training, and community solidarity.

This message perfectly embodies the spirit of FMV, whose motto remains: “Remember to Heal, Educate to Prevent, Act to Build Peace.”

FMV applauds this inspiring intervention, which showcases the strength of African refugee youth and highlights Rwanda’s vital role as a host country offering real opportunities for reconstruction and human development. The journey of this young leader—born in Burundi, welcomed in Rwanda, and trained in Burkina Faso—illustrates the resilience and constructive mobility of African youth.

FMV expresses its deep gratitude to the MasterCard Foundation, whose support for education continues to transform the lives of countless young Africans, and to Spirit In Action (https://www.spiritinaction.org/), a loyal partner that strengthens FMV’s capacity to act with dignity and impact in Rwanda.

This remarkable moment at the BAOBAB Summit 2025 serves as a reminder that Africa’s future will be built by all its children—refugees, displaced persons, youth, and women—united by the will to create a society that is inclusive and sustainable.

Some pictures from Nairobi’s activity: 

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On August 31, 2025, the Forum for Vigilant Memory (FMV), in collaboration with the Great Movement of Rwanda, represented by Mr. Godefroid Sindayigaya, organized a couples seminar in Muhanga, southern Rwanda. A total of about 20 couples attended this event focused on unity, mutual respect, and strengthening families.

During the discussions, the couples had the opportunity to reaffirm their commitments: for wives, to respect their husbands; and for husbands, to love their wives. 

Mr. Godefroid, also an FMV executive, recalled that the Bible teaches in the Book of Ephesians, chapter 5, that “wives should submit to their husbands as the church submits to Christ, and husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church.”

The participants expressed their gratitude for this space for dialogue and learning. One of them testified: “This is the first time I have participated in a couples’ seminar in my 30 years of marriage. I thank God for this opportunity, which has enriched me and renewed my commitment to my wife.”

After the training, Mr. Ferdinand Ndayiragije, Legal Representative of the Forum for Vigilant Memory, emphasized the importance of such sessions in promoting family and social peace.

“The FMV is convinced that united, respectful, and responsible families are the foundation of a stable society. By working hand in hand with partners such as the Great Movement of Rwanda, we are not only helping to reduce marital conflicts but also supporting the Rwandan government’s vision, which places the family at the heart of sustainable development,” he said.

Broadening perspectives

Beyond the Christian references highlighted during the seminar, other traditions and approaches also emphasize the importance of respect and love in marriage. In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad taught that “the best among you is the one who is best to his wife.” 

For non-believers, marital harmony is based on universal values such as communication, trust, mutual understanding, and mutual support, which family counselors recognize as the keys to a strong and lasting marriage.

To conclude the session, several couples drew close to each other tenderly, exchanging sweet words as they did on their wedding day. For the organizers, this gesture clearly demonstrated that the objective had been achieved. 

Everyone left with a renewed sense of unity, respect, and responsibility, aware that the couple is the pillar of society and that strengthening it is a mission shared by all.

➢ For more information on the activities of the Forum for Vigilant Memory, visit: www.memoirevigilante.org

Some photos from the seminar: 

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The Joint Action Development Forum (JADF) organized an exhibition showcasing the activities carried out by NGOs and Socio-Economic partners in the Muhanga district in southern Rwanda. The goal: inclusive development and collective engagement.

From June 17 to 20, 2025, the district of Muhanga hosted the 2025 edition of a four-day exhibition fair organized in partnership with the JADF (Joint Action Development Forum).

The event, held at the Muhanga stadium, took place under the theme: “A successful citizen, our pride” (Umuturage uteye imbere, Ishema ryacu”).

This annual event aims to strengthen transparency, inter-sectoral collaboration, and bring local community development actions closer together. This year, 56 partners participated, presenting their achievements and engaging in direct dialogue with the population.

Among the flagship activities: Free community health services; direct support for youth self-employment, with a check for 17 million Rwandan francs given to young people trained in technical and professional trades to help them buy work equipment; 60 piglets distributed to 60 young people involved in agriculture and livestock farming to support their income-generating projects; Live radio broadcasts on Radio Huguka to disseminate key messages and engage citizens who remained at a distance…

The closing ceremony, presided over by Ms. Kayitare Jacqueline, Mayor of Muhanga, was an opportunity to salute the involvement of partners in the socio-economic transformation of the district. Three trophies were awarded to the most successful partners, and all participating organizations received certificates of recognition.

The “Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante” (FMV) took part in this event, underscoring its commitment to supporting local initiatives that promote inclusion, youth employment, and participatory development.

“The JADF exhibition is a fine example of local governance and multi-stakeholder engagement. It demonstrates that sustainable development is built at the local level, with citizens at the heart of the action,” said an FMV member present at the event.

The FMV took this opportunity to detail its activities in support of disadvantaged populations, including refugees: schooling for children and intervention in the psychological, social, medical, and legal fields. All these actions are part of a vision to eradicate poverty in all its forms, meet the fundamental needs of the population, and ensure prosperity for all.

In Muhanga, the 2025 edition confirmed that partnerships between public, private, and community actors remain an essential lever for building a more equitable, autonomous, and inclusive society.

Some photos of the event:

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On June 20, 2025, on World Refugee Day, Rwanda joined the international community in honoring the strength, dignity, and resilience of the millions of people forced to flee their homes.

Under the theme “Solidarity with Refugees,” the national commemoration was held at the Kigali Convention Center, bringing together a wide range of actors: government officials, humanitarian agencies, refugee representatives, civil society, and international partners.

A global crisis with many faces

In a world marked by forced displacement on a historic scale, humanitarian situations are multiplying on every continent. Millions of people are uprooted, evacuated, or displaced in Sudan, Ukraine, the DRC, Burundi, Gaza, Israel, and elsewhere.

In response to these tragedies, the UNHCR representative in Rwanda made a passionate appeal: “Solidarity is not just a word, it is a compass, a daily commitment to building communities where every displaced person feels safe, included and valued.”

The Rwandan model: protection, inclusion and action

Rwanda, which hosts more than 135,000 refugees, mainly from Burundi and the DRC, is recognized for its inclusive policy and sustainable solutions. Refugees there enjoy fundamental rights, including access to public health care and education, freedom of movement, the right to work, and increasing access to financial services and higher education.

Alongside MINEMA, the ministry responsible for refugees, and UNHCR, financial partners such as Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) shared the findings of a report highlighting the progress made in the financial inclusion of refugees and the challenges that remain.

International cooperation and sustainable solutions

A further step forward was taken on June 25, 2025, with the World Bank’s announcement of $66.7 million (approximately 95 billion Rwandan francs) in funding for the “Jya Mbere II” project. This program aims to strengthen the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and host communities in six districts of the country and will benefit more than 380,000 people, including 115,000 refugees.

“This project reflects Rwanda’s leadership in implementing sustainable solutions. We are investing in services that create dignity, autonomy, and shared prosperity,” said Mathew Stephens, social development expert at the World Bank.

The FMV stands in solidarity with displaced persons

The Forum de Mémoire Vigilante (FMV) took part in the national celebration. In a public statement, its legal representative praised “the work of MINEMA, UNHCR, and their partners for their unwavering support for refugees.”

This presence is part of the FMV’s broader mission: to connect memory, dignity, and solidarity, but also to support citizen dynamics of inclusion, social justice, and harmonious coexistence.

“Including refugees means expanding the space for living together. It means building, together, a more just and inclusive society based on ‘kwigira’ autonomy for all,” emphasized a member of the FMV at the end of the ceremony.

The FMV took this opportunity to detail its activities in support of disadvantaged populations, including refugees: schooling for children, and intervention in the psychological, social, medical, and legal fields. All these actions are part of a vision to eradicate poverty in all its forms, meet the fundamental needs of the population, and ensure prosperity for all.

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On March 25, 2025, United Nations Rwanda celebrated International Women’s Day. The entire UN team in Rwanda and their partners gathered around the theme “For all women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” – reflecting on the 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and renewing the commitment to accelerate gender equality.

In her speech, Renata Tallarico, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Rwanda, urged collective action against the rolling back of women’s and girls’ rights.

“If we take progress for granted, we risk going backwards. The UN stands up for women, but real change happens when we do it ourselves,” she said.

All speakers noted that over the past three decades, Rwanda has made remarkable progress in key areas, including women’s political representation, economic inclusion, legal reforms and access to education and healthcare.

Despite significant advances concerning the invaluable contributions of women and girls in driving transformational change, there is no shortage of challenges around the world, such as gender-based violence, negative social norms, economic disparities and the digital divide persist, requiring renewed commitment and bold strategies. Hence, the synergy of partners to meet these challenges.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is: “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment” is a powerful call to reaffirm commitments to women’s rights, the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women to realize their full potential. It calls for decisive action to remove persistent barriers and create a world where every woman and girl enjoys equal rights, opportunities and influence.

This year’s campaign focuses on young people, particularly young women and adolescent girls, as catalysts for sustainable societal change and a feminist future.

In Rwanda, the national theme, “Empowered Women: A Stronger Nation” -Umugore Ni Uw’Agaciro! reinforces the country’s commitment to fostering the emergence of a new era of empowered women leaders.

For the United Nations system, gender equality is a human rights value, a development goal and a programming principle. The UN system in Rwanda has adopted a gender mainstreaming approach in all its policies and operations.

In this context, the UN system, under the leadership of the Group on Gender, Human Rights, Diversity and Inclusion (GHRDI), organised a joint UN event on the above-mentioned theme.

Ferdinand Ndayiragije, legal representative of the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante, FMV, took the opportunity to speak to some of the participants about the mental health programs and maternity processes developed by Dr Denis Kazungu, clinical psychologist and psychopathologist.

A graduate of the University of Mons and the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, Dr Denis is a clinical psychologist & psychopathologist, and also holds a Diploma in Human Rights. He is Director of research and medico-psychosocial services at FMV. He is interested in mental health problems and associated illnesses that escape medical diagnosis, with a particular focus on mental health and the maternity process.

(https://www.memoirevigilante.org/2024/10/16/mental-health-a-major-challenge-undermining-the-workplace/)

FMV therefore proposes to “think about well-thought-out and elaborate prevention programs that take into account the challenges of the moment and the specificities of certain professions, and introduce an evaluation in the form of a regular check-up…”.

For Dr Denis KAZUNGU, an active member of FMV, this is a growing issue. For example, he says, in the USA, 57% of workers claim to be currently suffering from at least moderate burnout, 75% of women versus 58% of men, Finland more than 50% of the working population present symptoms of stress-anxiety, depressive states; pain, sleep disorders and 7% suffer from severe overwork. In Germany, depressive illnesses are responsible for almost 7% of early retirements, and work incapacity resulting from depression is around 2.5 times longer than that caused by other illnesses. In the UK, 3/10 of employees experience mental health problems, and 1/20 of workers are seriously affected each year.

In Canada, 70% of workers are concerned about psychological health and safety at work, and 40% of sick leave is linked to a mental health problem, representing a loss of over $51 billion. In Africa, 11% of 100,000 employees commit suicide, above the WHO average of 9%. This is a health issue that deserves special attention from governments and professional circles.

Solutions…

According to Dr Kazungu, the first step is to recognize that mental health in the workplace is an urgent issue, and to integrate it into the workplace. Profitability depends on it. We need qualified, experienced professionals who know how to use tools (internationally validated tests), because stress, depression, anxiety and burnout can be measured, enabling us to develop tailor-made programs.

Of course, we need to think about well-thought-out and elaborate prevention programs that take into account current challenges and the specificities of certain professions, and introduce an evaluation in the form of a regular check-up (every year, for example) that enables us to integrate mechanisms such as therapeutic half-time, compulsory health breaks, etc.

Finally, the lack of regular interaction between different institutions, stakeholders and professionals (doctors, mental health professionals) is a challenge. This would help to establish a common understanding of certain challenges and overcome individual limitations.

According to the World Health Organization, it is vital that public authorities, employers, organizations representing workers and employers, and other stakeholders responsible for occupational health and safety, work together to improve mental health in the workplace.

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“A Partnership Synergy for Sustainable Solutions to Enhance the Well-Being of Refugees and Their Host Country.”

February 2025 was very rich in events for the “Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante (FMV)”, one of the refugee-led organizations (RLOs).

Two major activities were organized and caught the attention of the national and international community.

For the February 15, 2025, gathering dedicated to the exchange of New Year’s wishes among FMV members, the article’s focus was on four main points. Opening the session, FMV’s Legal Representative, Mr. Ferdinand Ndayiragije, began with a welcoming speech and words of gratitude addressed to all participants, followed by an introduction of the guests. Among them were local administrative officials, including the Executive Secretary of Ruli, the Chief of Ruhina Village, and the representative of Shalom Ministries Muhanga, one of FMV’s partner organizations.

“On behalf of FMV, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has made a significant contribution to our organization’s activities. Your commitment and dedication are the key to our shared success. Today, we honor these efforts by awarding certificates of recognition, a testament to our sincere appreciation. May this serve as an inspiration for each of us to redouble our efforts for the growth and well-being of our organization. Together, we are building a better future!” declared the Legal Representative of FMV, Mr. Ferdinand Ndayiragije.

Activity Reporting and Mid-Term Assessment of Action Plan

The Executive Director of FMV presented, domain by domain, the key achievements made so far.  It was highlighted that additional efforts are needed to ensure the full implementation of the ongoing action plan.

The day helped strengthen cohesion among FMV members and laid the foundation for future actions to achieve an even greater impact within the community.

“We organized a gathering to exchange best wishes, aiming to strengthen cohesion and mark significant milestones in our ongoing projects. We discussed the report on past activities and the launch of two crucial projects in education and a Community Benefit Company (CBC). The event was not only an opportunity to celebrate our achievements but also to jointly prepare the next steps toward our common goals” said the Executive Director, Mr. Reverien Gahimbare.

The Importance of New Technologies for Humanitarians

Here, the website administrator, the Webmaster of FMV, presented the benefits of using digital technologies in the humanitarian field. He highlighted the importance of information technologies in the following points:

• The digitization of services for better accessibility to vulnerable populations.
  • The improvement of communication and coordination among humanitarian actors.
  • The optimization of project monitoring and evaluation through the use of digital tools.

“As members of the Forum pour la Mémoire Vigilante, vigilance is our very essence: we must never lower our guard against digital threats, as only constant attention ensures the security of our data and our organization. Let us always remain vigilant!” declared the Webmaster of FMV during his speech.

 Official Launch of the Business Project (“Service n’Ubuntu mu Rwanda”) – SURWA

FMV has officially launched the SURWA project, a social business offering a variety of services:

• MTN mobile money transfer
• Irembo and RRA declarations
• Tourism guidance
• Consulting services
• Training programs
• School and office supplies
• Architecture and building services
• Construction services
• Project writing services

“At FMV, we strongly believe that the sustainable development of our communities depends on solid and well-structured income-generating activities. With the SURWA – Service n’Ubuntu mu Rwanda project, we are not just providing essential services; we are building an inclusive economic model where every FMV member can contribute their skills and commitment to ensure its success. It is imperative that we join forces because SURWA’s success depends on our collective ability to innovate, undertake, and effectively meet the needs of our community,” stated Mr. Frédéric NIBURANA, Director of the CBC Business Department at FMV, during his presentation.

Highlighting of the Results of the Refugee Children’s Education Support Project

The project manager, Mr. Vincent NZISABIRA, presented the achieved results as well as the challenges encountered in this field. Among the proposed perspectives, he emphasized the need to launch a fundraising campaign to ensure sustainable support for the education of vulnerable children.

Certificates of honour were also awarded to FMV coordination members in recognition of their dedication to the organization’s development.

Synergy of Partners for the well-being of refugees

The second event, held on 21-02-2025, was part of the annual reporting and planning process, during which UNHCR organizes a strategic reflection session. This meeting allowed for an in-depth review of the major achievements and challenges faced by the 2024 programs while facilitating essential information exchange to better guide joint actions in 2025 and beyond. It served as a framework for analysis and consultation aimed at improving coordination between the various stakeholders engaged in humanitarian response and refugee support.

According to Mr. Révérien Gahimbare, Executive Director of FMV, the event was of great importance as it facilitated the sharing of experiences and best practices among Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), community leaders, and other national and international organizations involved in humanitarian aid, such as PFR, INKOMOKO, SAVE THE CHILDREN, PRACTICAL ACTION, and WORLD VISION, among others. The commitment of UNHCR partners and MINEMA (Ministry of Emergency Management and Refugee Affairs) was also highlighted as a key factor in strengthening long-term strategies focused on sustainable solutions for refugees.

Mr. Gahimbare welcomed the active collaboration between FMV, refugee-led organizations, and other stakeholders, praising their collective commitment to the well-being of refugees and the host community. He emphasized the crucial role of this synergy in achieving common goals, stressing the importance of maintaining this momentum of cooperation in the years to come. By highlighting the efforts made and the hard work of all involved, he expressed hope for strengthening these collaborations to ensure a lasting impact and improve refugees’ living conditions.

“Refugee-led organizations (RLOs) are particularly well-positioned to address the challenges of refugee communities, as they have a deep understanding of the realities, priorities, and appropriate solutions. It is therefore essential to provide them with increased support to enhance their effectiveness and maximize their impact.”

TOGETHER, WE WILL SUCCEED!!!

Some photos of the events: 

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The meeting took place this Friday, December 6, 2024 at the Gikondo Community Centre in Kigali.

During her visit to Rwanda, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Kelly T. Clements, did not forget to meet with organizations founded and run by refugees. Among them was the « Forum  pour la mémoire Vigilante », FMV.

The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees was accompanied by the Director of the UNHCR Regional Office and the UNHCR Representative in Rwanda.

FMV, represented by its legal representative and its Executive Director, had the honor of showcasing its achievements and prospects in various fields of intervention.

First and foremost was the project to support the education of young refugees.

“We have a commitment to educational support, having accompanied 30 refugee children every year since 2019 thanks to contributions from the Burundian Community of Texas (BCT) and Flaming Chalice International (FCI). We also have the need to expand the number of beneficiaries, which requires the support of new technical and financial partners,” said Reverien Gahimbare, FMV Executive Director at the meeting.

Peace education, a key area in a troubled region.

“Our efforts in peace education, with a particular emphasis on the importance of couples training and peace education programs in border areas affected by sporadic or continuous conflicts. Advocacy with potential partners in this sector, will effectively enable the FMV to implement these initiatives which aim to strengthen regional stability and will need to be expanded to have more impact,” they said.

In the field of health, the actions presented included awareness-raising workshops, the distribution of sanitary towels to refugee women in Muhanga and Kamonyi during the COVID-19 pandemic, and so on.

The team also presented the importance of the mental health and maternity program, which is currently seeking funding.

In the field of languages and culture,

the impact of cultural activities, particularly theatrical performances, on the lives of refugees was highlighted. These initiatives promote social integration and personal enrichment for the communities concerned. The duo also highlighted other activities planned to strengthen this sector.

The energy and environment sector was not left out.

« One of the highlights of our presentation was the “TEKA NEZA STOVE”, a clean cooking model with economic, health and environmental benefits. We stressed the importance of lobbying potential partners to amplify the impact of these initiatives,” they said.

Finally, the Rwandan model was recognized.

They emphasized that these achievements had been made possible thanks to Rwanda’s inclusive legal framework, which enables refugees to set up organizations, and to the support of partners such as UNHCR, Inkomoko, BCT, FCI, the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC) and Spirit in Action (SIA).

Ms Kelly T. Clements, the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, and her colleagues from Rwanda and the East African region appreciated these activities, pointing out that this is the UNHCR’s model for ensuring that refugees are no longer seen as a burden, but rather that they can contribute by providing solutions and participating in the development of host countries and communities.

Legal representative Ferdinand Ndayiragije and FMV Executive Director Reverien Gahimbare agreed that the meeting offered a unique opportunity to showcase FMV’s work and strengthen advocacy for greater collaboration on behalf of refugees.

Besides FMV, there were other refugee-led organisations and individuals participants carrying out entrepreneurial and income-generating activities with social impact in Rwanda, some of which/them are based in Mahama camp, which hosts more than 65,000 Burundian and Congolese refugees in eastern Rwanda.

some of pictures of the évent: 

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East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region are home to 5.46 million refugees and asylum seekers, as well as 19.6 million internally displaced persons.

Traditionally viewed through a humanitarian lens, these communities are now recognized as dynamic economic actors with largely untapped potential. They contribute through their diverse skills, entrepreneurial spirit, and unique market perspectives.

Often, they develop innovative solutions to local challenges. Their presence has transformed many host areas into vibrant economic hubs, giving rise to new markets and trade routes that transcend national borders.

Recent market analyses highlight promising opportunities. In Uganda, for instance, refugees contribute 3% to the national GDP. In Kenya’s Turkana County, their presence has led to a 3.4% increase in overall employment and a 6% rise in per capita income.

However, these communities, often located in remote and underserved areas, face limited economic opportunities and remain largely dependent on humanitarian aid. While there is growing consensus on the importance of promoting inclusive markets and businesses to support post-conflict recovery, a significant gap remains between initiatives aimed at improving economic opportunities for refugee and returnee women, and those creating an environment conducive to the growth of the private sector.

To address these challenges, the African Development Bank is funding a workshop as part of the “Regional Program for Improving the Investment Climate for the Economic Empowerment of Refugee, Returnee Women and Host Communities,” targeting East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes region.

The project is implemented by the UNHCR Regional Office covering East Africa, the Great Lakes, and the Horn of Africa.

“Engaging discussions have taken place with governments, regional economic communities, partners, and refugees themselves to accelerate private sector investment in refugee-hosting areas. There is strong energy and genuine determination to capitalize on successes, seize opportunities, and enable our sisters and brothers to contribute economically and thrive,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR Regional Director, during a high-level workshop on this project held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 19 to 21, 2024.

The “Forum pour la Memoire Vigilante (FMV)”, an organization created and led by refugees in Rwanda, was represented by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Révérien Gahimbare, a civil electromechanical engineer and renewable energy expert.

Mr. Gahimbare presented the origin of FMV and the organization’s experience in the humanitarian field, particularly its work with refugees in Rwanda. He outlined the main areas of intervention, including education, health, energy and the environment, languages and cultures, communication, and protection. He also highlighted FMV’s key achievements in these sectors since its creation, with a particular focus on actions in support of refugees.

The CEO of FMV took the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the Rwandan government for welcoming many refugees from the region as well as from more distant countries. He praised the establishment of a legal framework that enables refugees and immigrants to create national organizations, businesses, cooperatives, and associations, thus fostering their self-development and contribution to the development of host communities. He also thanked UNHCR for its technical support and continuous efforts in strengthening the organization’s capacity. Finally, he warmly thanked the organizers of this important regional workshop.

Révérien Gahimbare stated that the idea of a regional program aimed at improving the investment climate for the economic empowerment of refugees, returnees, and host communities was particularly relevant and timely. He passionately reminded everyone that “a refugee is a normal person in an abnormal situation.”

As a recommendation to the high-level institutions present, he emphasizing that, given the realities on the ground, refugee-led organizations play a crucial role in strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities, including refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons. He stressed the importance of providing them with financial, material, and technical support, particularly through mentorship and advocacy.

Alongside FMV’s participation, representatives from Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda were also present. These included activists from host and refugee communities, government representatives, regional bloc officials, and civil society and environmental stakeholders.

This program, covering 11 countries in the region, is implemented by UNHCR in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC). Its main objective is to identify and address legal, regulatory, procedural, and infrastructure barriers hindering the economic empowerment of refugee and returnee communities. The program also aims to identify sectors with a competitive advantage for investment and trade in areas hosting these populations.

The high-level regional meeting builds upon a series of program activities, including scoping missions, community consultations, and public-private dialogues in the targeted countries. It provides an opportunity to assess progress in the economic and financial inclusion of forcibly displaced communities and identify opportunities to strengthen the investment climate in strategic sectors, both nationally and regionally.

This meeting aims to leverage best practices, policies, partnerships, and programs in collaboration with governments, regional economic communities, international organizations, and private and financial sector actors. The goal is to define concrete measures to promote the economic and financial inclusion of displaced persons and host communities, with a particular focus on empowering women in the region.

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