All the partners of the Rwanda Red Cross renewed their support at the end of the last week. They are satisfied with the performance of this auxiliary organization of the State.
An annual meeting of the Rwanda Red Cross (RRC) and its partners was held from 11 to 12 November in Rubavu. They all renewed their commitment to support this organization in its humanitarian action.
“The Belgian Red Cross (BRC) will remain in Rwanda because it is a partner that is evolving,” said the representative of BRC, French-speaking community. “When you look at the level of the movement, especially in Africa, the RRC is one of the national societies that have stood out in recent years. We are very satisfied with what is being done here,” he said.
The same is true of the other partners. This is the case of the Belgian RC Flanders, the Japanese RC, the Australian RC, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). All have expressed their commitment to continue supporting the humanitarian work of the National Society.
The main programs focus on community resilience, emergency medical services and first aid development, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, emergency response and recovery, dissemination of International humanitarian law, RC principles, humanitarian values, and institutional capacity development.
MINEMA wants to hand over part of its responsibilities to the RRC
The Rwandan government, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management, Olivier Kayumba Rugina, announced its intention to hand over a large part of its responsibilities to the RRC.
“I want to thank the RRC. It is a main partner in disaster and emergency management,” he said. “In the main activity of the ministry, disaster management, we have had support from the RRC every time,” he said. “The auxiliary role is something we appreciate,” he revealed. “We have the same activities, we would like the RRC to do them. We want to stay at the policy level,” he said.
The RRC says it is ready to meet the government’s expectations. “The RRC plays its role of auxiliary to the public authorities. When it gives us a direction on what to do, we do everything possible to respond effectively to our responsibilities as usual,” said RRC Vice President Françoise Mukandekezi.
“This trust from the ministry in charge of Emergency Management is based on our performance. So we have no worries. We have the necessary expertise in disaster management and preparedness. The financial and material resources available can be used. But we also have the capacity to mobilize to stay on top of our task,” she said.
Rubavu District also expressed appreciation for the work of the RRC. “We appreciate the spontaneous work of the RRC in our district,” acknowledged the acting mayor of Rubavu, Olivier Ruhamyambuga. “They never wait for our request to help disaster victims, he explained.
Decentralization of the RRC’s response
For the budget year 2021-2022, some interventions of the Rwanda Red Cross (RRC) will be carried out at branch levels. The latter will have to become self-financing.
As shown in the RRC action plan 2021-2022, programs related to hygiene and sanitation, savings mobilization, maintaining of kitchen gardens, distribution of small livestock, … will be within the competence of the branches. The staff of the headquarters in Kigali will work with partners for actions with a national scope.
The Rwanda Red Cross does not only rely on its partners. It has a commercial company, RIS (Réseau d’Investissement Social).
“It is difficult to find funding for all the projects across the country,” said RRC Secretary General Apollinaire Karamaga. “This company contributes a lot to the development of investment. It serves to cover administrative costs by strengthening structures at the grassroots and headquarters level. It gives us a great contribution,” said Mr. Apollinaire Karamaga.
Soon the construction of a hotel in Karongi will be completed. The Belgian Red Cross French-speaking community has contributed to the funding of this project. The income will be used to support the activities of the branch in this part of the country.
During the past year, the Rwanda Red Cross has made its presence felt through its multiple interventions in natural disaster management, prevention against covid-19, support to the victims of this pandemic and those due to the volcanic eruption of Nyiragongo.
Gérard Rugambwa
