World Vision Rwanda donates 45,000 iron sheets to Gakenke Land slide victims

Friday, June 24, 2016

My Moses Mukitale 

World Vision Rwanda donates 45,000 iron sheets to 1000 households affected by the recent landslides and flooding in Gakenke district, Northern Province. This following a pledge World Vision made to the affected communities in May, to help them recover from the tragic loss of property and homesteads.

According to government, the 8th May land slides left over 35 people dead and more than 1200 houses destroyed.  The downpours also destroyed more than 500 homes and damaged infrastructure in the north. The landslides buried houses while trees were uprooted and plantations destroyed.

While handing over the iron sheets to some of the affected families gathered at the Gakenke sector office, the World vision Rwanda national director George Gitau appreciated all efforts by government and other agencies towards the tragedy, noting however that alot still needs to be done for the affected communities.

‘’Each of the affected 1000 households is receiving 45 iron sheets from World Vision. We are happy to see that most of the affected households have already been able to rebuild their homes up to roofing level. This was the commitment the affected families made to us. That we supply the iron sheets and they do much of the rest.’’

 

The affected residents were helped to set up new buildings through community work (Umuganda) and what remained were to get iron sheets to complete the houses. It was a joyous moment as the land slide survivors received and carried home their iron sheets.  Some had come along with bicyles while others simply carried the iron sheets on their heads.The total cost of the iron sheets donated by World Vision is Rwandan Francs RF 256, 500,00, equivalent to USD $328,846.

The iron sheets are to benefit 4000 children, whose families had been rendered homeless following the landslides. 

Mr. Gitau, who was in company of the World Vision East African Region Leader Margaret Schuler added that the organization will continue to work with the district and communities to improve food security and community resilience, in mitigating anticipated food insecurity due to damaged agriculture.

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