Project Title: Community-Based Protection, Legal Assistance, MHPSS and PSN Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Rwanda.

Since 2020, Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR), in partnership with UNHCR and MINEMA, has been implementing a comprehensive protection project supporting refugees and asylum seekers across refugee camps, urban settings, and transit centers in Rwanda.

The project focuses on strengthening Community-Based Protection (CBP) systems, ensuring access to justice, and promoting the well-being and inclusion of vulnerable populations. Through CBP, refugees are actively engaged in identifying protection risks, developing community-led solutions, and strengthening community-based protection networks. Community structures and volunteers play a key role in early identification, referral, and response to protection concerns.

The project also provides comprehensive legal assistance and civil documentation services, including legal counseling, support throughout asylum and refugee status determination procedures, and assistance in obtaining essential documents such as birth registration. In addition, it promotes Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, empowering communities to resolve family and civil disputes effectively while reducing reliance on formal court systems. Through mobile outreach and direct engagement, refugees and asylum seekers are reached with timely legal information, counseling, and referrals, strengthening access to justice at community level.

Since August 2024, the project has been expanded to include Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and community-based sociotherapy, alongside strengthened protection and inclusion of persons with specific needs (PSN) across all refugee camps, urban settings, and the Emergency Transit Centers. These interventions enhance psychosocial support services, promote resilience and social cohesion, and improve overall well-being. Special attention is given to ensuring that persons with specific needs are fully protected and meaningfully included in all interventions.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and well-being of refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda.

Project Managers

• CBP Coordinator & Humanitarian Projects Lead
  Name: Bisangabagabo Marcel
  Email: bmarcel@pfrwanda.org
• Legal Assistance Coordinator
  Name: Museruka Jack
  Email: muserukajack@pfrwanda.org
• MHPSS & PSN Coordinator
  Name: Shami Valens
  Email: vshami@pfrwanda.org