The Rwandan Red Cross (RRC) has just made a money transfer of more than 24 million FRWs to disaster-stricken families and other vulnerable people in Nyagatare district.
The RRC support was offered to 245 of the most vulnerable people, simultaneously in 7 sectors of Nyagatare district. The beneficiaries received successively 101,600 FRWs each on their cell phones.
“Our populations have experienced disasters. We resorted to the Rwandan Red Cross. They quickly responded to our call,” said the Vice-Mayor of Social Affairs in Nyagatare District, Murekatete Juliet.
In August, the roofs of at least 40 houses blew off due to heavy rain and wind. Among the people supported by the RRC are other vulnerable people.
“Some families are without decent toilets, their roofs have holes in them, or there is a need to buy livestock,” said Emmanuel Mazimpaka, RRC’s director of communications and humanitarian diplomacy.
In the Musheri sector, disaster victims thanked the state and the Rwandan Red Cross for the support they received.
“I am very grateful for this help. I am a vulnerable widow. Now I will be able to rebuild my destroyed house,” said Bemerahino Donata of Nyagatabire cell, Mushorerwa village.
“Following the bad weather, my house was destroyed. I was sheltered by the neighbors. I am rebuilding my house. This money will be used to buy tiles,” said Ntawenderundi Beatrice, from Nyagatare cell, Rugarama village.
The beneficiaries of this support have signed a contract with the Rwandan Red Cross and the district to ensure the efficient use of this money. Follow-up is planned. RRC volunteers and local administrative authorities are in charge of monitoring.
Support to cooperatives bears fruit
In January 2022, the Rwandan Red Cross supported two cooperatives with a fund of 5 million FRWs, according to Emmanuel Mazimpaka.
The “Twitezimbere” cooperative of the Musheri cell, Musheri village, received 2.5 million FRWs. It was able to buy a mill, a dynamo and has a water tank.
It produces corn flour which is sold in 3 schools. There is the school of Musheri, the one of Nyamiyonga and finally Kijojo. The population can also get supplies from this cooperative. “We express our gratitude to the Rwandan Red Cross,” said Mukakarangwa Esther, representative of the cooperative.
This institution has also given 741 families affected by the consequences of the covid-19 pandemic a total of 117 million FRWs in support. This amount was used for small income-generating projects.
“In Gasabo and Nyarugenge district, we have provided support to the recently resettled populations as they were living in high risk zone. They received food worth about 21 million,” said Emmanuel Mazimpaka, director of communication and humanitarian diplomacy. The RRC was funded by the Belgian Red Cross, Flamand community.
The Rwandan Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, auxiliary to the state. In its interventions, it takes care of the most vulnerable people in the community. They are usually selected by the local authorities in collaboration with volunteers.
Gerard Rugambwa
