The three countries that make up the region (Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC) are closely interconnected and have shaped each other’s development. Since they gained their independence, this continued interdependence has fed into cross-border conflicts that have caused enormous human suffering and brought state institutions to the brink of collapse. The three countries have signed peace agreements and held elections. However, it has become clear in recent years that these elections have failed to cement peace, and various conflicts endure. Institutions remain fragile and the people of the three countries have yet to reap the benefits of peace.
The Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

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Embassy |
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Mission / Delegation / Permanent Representation |
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Consulate general |
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Honorary representation |
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Cooperation office |
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Contribution Office |
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Embassy with Cooperation Office |
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Embassy with Regional consular center |
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Swiss Business Hub |
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Swissnex |
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City |
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Capital |
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Disputed border |
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River |
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Lake |
The Great Lakes region, comprised of Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern DRC, is a priority region for the South Cooperation Department of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). This fragility is an obstacle to the strengthening of regional institutions and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Because the prospects of these three countries are intertwined, regional stability is a basic condition for improving the well-being of the local populations. In terms of business and trade, the region is rich in natural resources and offers many untapped opportunities.
Swiss Bilateral ODA |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 * |
---|---|---|---|
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) |
|||
Bilateral development cooperation |
24.90 |
29.48 |
26.00 |
Humanitarian aid |
18.30 |
15.81 |
12.81 |
State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) |
|||
Economic Cooperation and Development |
– |
– |
– |
Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) |
|||
Conflict transformation and human rights |
2.80 |
3.07 |
3.06 |
Total SDC/SECO/PHRD |
46.00 |
48.36 |
41.87 |
Other Federal Offices |
|||
Other FDFA Divisions (ASAF, AIO, aso) |
0.01 |
– |
.. |
Network of FDFA representations abroad |
4.85 |
4.72 |
.. |
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) |
– |
1.16 |
1.43 |
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) |
0.03 |
0.23 |
.. |
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) |
0.12 |
0.10 |
.. |
Total other Federal Offices |
5.01 |
6.21 |
1.43 |
Cantons and municipalities |
1.10 |
.. |
.. |
Total |
52.11 |
54.57 |
43.30 |
* planned; total based on available data
.. = figures not available | – = nil or amount < 5'000 CHF
N.B. Contributions of the humanitarian Aid to persons from the region of the Great Lakes having fled to Tanzania are reported under the humanitarian Aid of Tanzania
Overall goal of the Swiss cooperation strategy for the Great Lakes region
In the Great Lakes region, Switzerland works to further peace and stability, reduce poverty and protect civilians. It helps to strengthen democratic processes, respect for human rights, social cohesion and employment, especially for young people. In line with Switzerland’s diplomatic and political efforts, these activities are aimed at strengthening the capacities of local people to overcome crises and challenges.
Dialogue, fighting impunity and diplomacy
Switzerland is committed to preventing and reducing violence, strengthening democratic institutions and processes, and contributing to the fight against impunity. Switzerland’s activities include facilitation and mediation at the political and civil society levels, support for elections and constitutional reforms, advocacy, monitoring and the protection of human rights. In Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC, Switzerland has helped set up a variety of media outlets, especially radio stations, which perform a watchdog function and produce good quality programming, and has also supported the media’s self-regulation efforts.
Protection of civilians
Switzerland uses all means and channels at its disposal – bilateral, multilateral, the Geneva Conventions – to assure the existence of humanitarian spaces in the region which are necessary to protect vulnerable population groups and restore dignity to those who have been denied it. The protection of civilians includes the monitoring and recording of violations of international humanitarian law, inter-community dialogue, advocacy, training and awareness-raising activities, and reintegration measures. These efforts benefit nearly three million people every year. Switzerland has supported almost 300,000 people through its bilateral projects, including child protection projects, over the past four years.
Employment and economic development
To promote employment and income opportunities, Switzerland is giving priority to high-quality vocational education and training in occupational sectors that are adapted to the needs of the market, both in rural and peri-urban areas. In rural areas, Switzerland is focusing its efforts on the transformation of the building materials sector, which is experiencing rapid growth and is very labour intensive. Technology introduced by Switzerland in Rwanda and Burundi to improve working conditions and energy efficiency in brickmaking has boosted production to approximately 14 million bricks per year since 2015.
Health and combating violence against women
Ensuring continued access to healthcare services in crisis situations is critically important for public health, eases community tensions and promotes social cohesion. Switzerland is working in this sector for universal healthcare and for primary and secondary health services, particularly mother and child healthcare and the fight against child malnutrition. Switzerland is committed to combating violence against women. Swiss-supported efforts have helped some 60,000 women to access survivor support services since 2011, including 12,300 rape survivors who have received medical, psychological and legal support. Thanks to the efforts of over 500 civil society organisations, 54% of the women have been able to reintegrate into their communities.
History of cooperation
Switzerland has been present in the Great Lakes region since the 1960s. For three decades, it carried out development cooperation programmes in the region, but since the 1990s, the primary focus has been on humanitarian aid and peace policy. As part of its 2017–20 strategy, Switzerland combines development aid, humanitarian aid, peace policy and diplomacy in the Great Lakes region. Through the coordinated deployment of these instruments, Switzerland aims to improve the coherence of its efforts, to deal more effectively with the complex political, security, humanitarian and developmental challenges facing the region.
Links
Rwanda: Consulate General of Switzerland in Kigali
Swiss Cooperation Office in Rwanda
Burundi: Programme Office SDC and Consular Agency Bujumbura
Embassy of Switzerland in Democratic Republic of Congo
Gender equality – gender and women's rights
Basic education and vocational training
Engagement in fragile contexts and prevention of violent conflicts
Private Sector Development and financial services
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Burundi
Bilateral relations Switzerland–The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Documents
Current projects
Programme Nutrition dans la Région des Grands Lacs
01.12.2021
- 31.12.2025
Les interventions suisses dans le domaine de la nutrition dans la région des Grands Lacs se concentrent sur la lutte contre la malnutrition chronique des enfants de moins de cinq ans et des femmes enceintes et allaitantes. La Phase III du programme nutrition au Rwanda, Burundi et RDC met l’accent sur l’engagement communautaire et le renforcement des institutions nationales. L’appui de la Suisse s’inscrit dans la continuité et promeut la mise à l’échelle de l’approche multisectorielle voulue dans le cadre de la réforme des Nations Unies.
Programme de Relance Economique et réduction de la pauvreté en réponse aux effets du Covid-19 dans la région des Grands Lacs
01.10.2021
- 31.12.2024
Dans les Grands Lacs, la Covid-19 a perturbé les systèmes économiques et sociaux faisant basculer un nombre important de personnes à faible revenu dans la pauvreté. Par ce programme, la Suisse entend contribuer à relancer l’activité des opérateurs économiques locaux, avec un accent particulier sur les micro, petites et moyennes entreprises, en mettant à leur disposition des fonds de garantie. La valeur ajoutée est que la Suisse donnera une attention particulière aux initiatives de commerce transfrontalier régionaux.
Programme Psychosocial dans la Région des Grands Lacs
01.09.2021
- 31.12.2023
Le programme contribue à l’amélioration du statut des femmes, en particulier celui des survivantes des violences sexuelles et basées sur le genre dans la Région des Grands Lacs (Burundi, Rwanda, RDC). La Suisse a développé une expertise en matière d’approche psychosociale communautaire qui a apporté des changements positifs de comportements et des normes liés au genre. Le focus de cette phase de sortie est l’intégration de cette approche dans les institutions publiques et son soutien par d’autres partenaires.
Trans-Border Dialogue for Peace in the Great Lakes Region
01.09.2021
- 31.08.2026
Jointly with the European Union, Switzerland supports a trans-border dialogue for peace in the Great Lakes Region, a program run by Interpeace with local NGOs. This third phase will focus on young women and young men as key drivers for peace and stability in the region and expand its activities to Uganda to further tackle the regionality of conflicts in the region. This will contribute to a better promotion of peace, good governance and concrete consensus-based solutions, in the region.
Programme d’appui au système de santé du Sud Kivu (PASS Sud-Kivu)
01.05.2021
- 31.12.2023
Cette phase de consolidation des acquis est la dernière du Programme d’Appui au Système de Santé au Sud Kivu. L’appui systémique délocalisé promu par la Suisse vise à renforcer durablement le système de santé dans son ensemble, afin de le rendre plus efficient, résilient et équitable. Grâce à une meilleure gouvernance du système et au renforcement de la qualité des services, l’état de santé de près de 3 millions de personnes sera amélioré.
SYP Safeguard Young People in Eastern African countries
01.03.2021
- 28.02.2024
The SYP program contributes to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people, thus reducing gender based health inequities. It supports the adoption, domestication and implementation of policies, and strengthens young people’s competencies on and access to SRHR services. The expansion to Tanzania and Rwanda leverages on the experience in Southern Africa financed by SDC, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s thematic expertise and convening power.
Promotion de l‘emploi et de revenus non agricoles dans la région des Grands Lacs grâce à la production de matériaux de construction respectueux du climat (PROECCO)
01.01.2021
- 31.12.2024
La forte demande en matériel de construction due à l’urbanisation rapide dans la région des Grands Lacs prédispose ce secteur à la création d’emploi et à offrir une perspective économique au grand nombre de jeunes dans la région. L’introduction par le projet PROECCO de briques améliorées, abordables et neutres en CO2 répondant aux normes de résistance et de durabilité a créé une forte demande. Pour la troisième phase, il s’agit d’appuyer le secteur privé à augmenter la production pour satisfaire la demande et d’atteindre les effets escomptés en emplois et en réduction des émissions de CO2.
Programme de réponse à la pandémie Coronavirus 2019, COVID-19 Grands Lacs
01.05.2020
- 30.06.2022
Grace à son engagement de longue durée et son expertise reconnue dans le domaine de la santé, l’appui de la Suisse permettra aux pays de la région des Grands Lacs (Burundi, RD Congo et Rwanda) de renforcer leurs systèmes sanitaires, d’augmenter la surveillance de COVID-19, notamment par l’amélioration de la qualité et l’accessibilité des soins de santé de 27 millions de personnes, et de protéger les populations de l’épidémie. Ainsi, l’intervention contribuera à sauver des vies et à maintenir le capital humain, gage de tout développement.
Allocation of SDC Funding to ICRC Operations in 2020
01.01.2020
- 31.12.2020
SDC funding to ICRC
operations allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to
respond proactively and to provide immediate protection and assistance for people
affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. In line with the
Good Humanitarian Donorship (GHD) principles, Switzerland recognizes the
necessity of predictable and flexible funding to respond to changing needs in
humanitarian crises.
Appui aux médias dans la région des Grands Lacs
01.01.2020
- 31.12.2023
Dans la région des Grands Lacs, les médias jouent un rôle central dans le processus de démocratisation. Cependant, ils sont fragilisés par un contexte politique sensible et des limites d’ordre professionnel et légal. Grace à son engagement à long terme, la Suisse a une grande crédibilité dans ce secteur. Le programme vise à renforcer la cohésion sociale à travers l’amélioration des capacités des médias, à fournir une information de qualité et à offrir une plateforme de dialogue entre acteurs. L’intervention sera faite au travers des partenaires locaux, régionaux et internationaux.
UN-Gender Rwanda
01.10.2019
- 30.09.2023
In line with SDC’s engagement on fighting sexual and gender-based violence and women’s empowerment in the Great Lakes region, the UN-Gender Program will contribute to the efforts of the Government of Rwanda and the UN Agencies in Rwanda to transform commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment into concrete actions, in particular through awareness raising and capacity building for women and strengthening service providers.
Cross Boarder Trade for Peace
01.10.2019
- 30.09.2022
In line with SDC’s strategy to increase the elements of its portfolio fostering cross-border cooperation in the Great Lakes, this project seeks to address the lack of social cohesion and trust amongst border communities in the Great Lakes region especially between Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Burundi. Cross Border Trade for Peace is a contribution by SDC to the Mupaka Shamba Letu (The border, our livelihood) project co-financed with SIDA and implemented by International Alert. A particular focus is given to empowering women active in cross-border trade.