On the sidelines of the ECOSOC Partnership Forum, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and GiveDirectly signed a grant agreement amounting to roughly USD 5 million to support families living in extreme poverty in Rwanda for one year.
Through the funding provided by QFFD, GiveDirectly, in cooperation with the Rwandan government, will distribute cash grants of up to USD 1,100 to 3,979 families living in extreme poverty (below the international poverty line) in the Nyagisozi sector.
This initiative is part of the "Habwa Wigire" program, implemented by GiveDirectly in collaboration with the Rwandan Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), aiming to rapidly close the poverty gap at the national level and establish a successful model for poverty alleviation that can be applied nationally and globally.
In this context, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, Fahad Al Sulaiti, said, "We are honored to be part of this important partnership between Qatar Fund for Development and GiveDirectly. This agreement reflects our firm commitment to supporting the most vulnerable families in Rwanda by providing means to improve their livelihoods and build a more stable future. Qatar has always been at the forefront of humanitarian efforts, offering support to those in need and affected by crises and poverty worldwide."
President and CEO of GiveDirectly, Nick Allardice, expressed his gratitude to QFFD for its generous support of this vital program and to the Rwandan government for providing the opportunity to implement this initiative. He emphasized that GiveDirectly will work to deliver these direct cash transfers, which will bring about a radical change in the lives of Rwandans living in extreme poverty.
He highlighted that unconditional cash transfers have repeatedly proven to be highly effective in empowering individuals to make their own decisions regarding improving their lives, based on reliable academic evidence confirming their impact, efficiency, and scalability. "We are proud to move forward with this important humanitarian mission through this deeply impactful partnership," he said.
HE Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations, Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo, affirmed the importance of this partnership, considering it a pivotal step toward eradicating poverty. He noted that the Rwandan authorities are optimistic about the profound and lasting impact this cooperation will have on the lives of many of its citizens and look forward to this initiative being a starting point for broader and more prosperous bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Qatar in the coming years.
Rwanda has recorded significant economic growth, with an average GDP growth rate of over 7 percent during the past decade, thanks to strategic investments in technology, agriculture, tourism, and industry.
The country has also made significant progress in achieving universal health coverage, improving education quality, and promoting gender equality across various sectors. However, it still faces significant challenges in reducing poverty, with approximately 38.2 percent of its population living below the international poverty line, and 34 percent of households suffering from food insecurity due to low rainfall and climate shocks affecting agricultural crops, leading to income instability for many individuals.
This tripartite agreement aims to accelerate the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Vision 2050 by eradicating poverty and supporting the agricultural economy, especially given that more than two-thirds of the rural population rely on agriculture as their primary source of livelihood, representing the main source of income for nearly 60 percent of the country's population.
This agreement represents an important step towards achieving sustainable development in Rwanda and underscores the commitment of the Qatar Fund for Development and its partners to supporting the most vulnerable groups.
