Outline of the Project

Project Name

The Skills Training and Job Obtainment Support for Social Participation of the Ex-Combatants and Other People with Disabilities

Country

Rwanda

Project Site

Kigali and Eastern, Western, Southern and Northern Provinces

Term of Cooperation

11 March, 2011 to 10 March 2014

Implementing Organization

Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission(RDRC), Skills Training Centres

Project Background

The 1994 Genocide and Armed Conflict has left Rwanda with many people with disabilities (PWDs), including ex-combatants and other people. Their disabilities have limited their opportunities in life, since Rwanda's public infrastructures and social protection programmes in the past did not give particular provisions for PWDs.

Since end of 2001, the Government of Rwanda has started Stage II for RDRP (Rwanda Demobilization Reintegration Programme), which is implemented by RDRC (Rwanda Demobilization Reintegration Commission). During RDRP Stage II, JICA helped the Government of Rwanda through RDRC in contributing to the reintegration of ex-combatants with disabilities through skills training and construction of barrier free in some Skills Training Centres (STCs) from December 2005 to December 2008.

However, the need is still high for both skills training and barrier free access at the STCs countrywide. The Government of Rwanda has put emphasis on infrastructure development including barrier free and workforce development through skills training, within the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS).

Since January 2009, the Government of Rwanda has started Stage III of RDRP. The RDRP includes specially tailored reintegration support to the ex-combatants with disabilities, which includes medical rehabilitation, provision prostheses, skills training and so on.

The armed conflict and 1994 Genocide left behind not only ex-combatants with disabilities, but also many civilians who sustained injuries that resulted into disabilities. In the spirit of fostering "Unity and Reconciliation" within the communities, the Government of Rwanda is embarking on Community Based Reintegration approach which would allow the ex-combatants and other people with disabilities (ECOPD) to achieve self sustenance opportunities through skills training together.

As part of the effort help sustainable reintegration of ECOPD in the communities where ECOPD live, the Government of Rwanda applied for Japanese Technical Cooperation in skills training and construction of barrier free access at STCs.

Purpose

The ECOPD who participate in the skills training obtain job.

Overall Goal

The social participation of the ECOPD who participates in the skills training is promoted.

Outputs

1. Environment to provide the skills training for the ECOPD is strengthened.
2. Skills training for the ECOPD is improved.
3. Support services to obtain job of the ECOPD are developed.

Project Activities

Input Summary by Japanese Side

• Long-term expert: Support for PwDs and Project Coordinator
• Short-term experts: Barrier free and other area
• Project expenses
• Equipment: Barrier-free renovations in STCs