Rwanda

Republic of Rwanda

Congo

Republic of the Congo

<p>Rural Development Initiative (RDI Rwanda), under the leadership of its Founder Aimé Kayumba, is currently implementing the project “Restoring Livelihoods and Community Resilience for Conflict-Affected Smallholder Farmers in Rubavu District” to support vulnerable border communities affected by the ongoing insecurity and armed conflict in Eastern DRC, particularly around Goma and North Kivu Province. The project directly targets over 1,500 smallholder farmers, 800 women and youth entrepreneurs, and 300 vulnerable households across the sectors of Gisenyi, Rubavu, Nyamyumba, Busasamana, Kanzenze, and Cyanzarwe, where livelihoods and cross-border economic activities have been severely disrupted by the instability involving M23, FARDC, and regional military tensions along the Rwanda–DRC border. Since the escalation of insecurity in Eastern DRC, many farming households in Rubavu experienced declining agricultural sales, reduced market access, loss of informal trading opportunities, and increased food insecurity due to the disruption of economic exchanges with Goma. In response, RDI has supported vulnerable households through climate-smart agriculture initiatives, distribution of improved seeds and farming inputs, establishment of 45 demonstration plots and 300 kitchen gardens, strengthening of 60 farmer cooperatives and VSLA groups, entrepreneurship and financial literacy training for youth and women, and small business recovery support for affected families. The project also mobilizes more than 200 youth volunteers in peacebuilding, environmental conservation, psychosocial support, and community resilience activities including fruit tree planting, nutrition awareness, and community dialogue sessions, contributing to stronger social cohesion and sustainable rural recovery in Rubavu District.</p>

Photo7