About 150 families consisting of vulnerable returnees in Nyamagabe District, Southern Province were on Tuesday given 150 goats and pigs as part of efforts to reintegrate them into society.

The event marked the launch of the 4th phase of the livestock distribution project that is supported by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee affairs (Midmar), International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Japanese Embassy.

The $3m project that runs from 2013 to 2014, will see a total of about 1,500 families of vulnerable returnees benefit, and will cover 10 districts.

Catherine Northing, the IOM Rwanda Chief of Mission assured the recipients of the potential of the livestock to transform their lives.

"It is an essential cornerstone in community stabilisation and key for sustainable integration,” she noted.

Northing pledged IOM’s continued support to the Rwandan government, on issues of migration.

Tomio Sakamoto, the Counsellor at the Embassy of Japan, also expressed optimism that the project will improve livelihoods through creation of income-generating activities.

"We believe the socio-economic integration of the target groups is a key factor for peace, stability, and economic growth for this country,” he remarked.

Antoine Ruvebana, the permanent secretary at Midmar, commended the district local council leaders for playing a crucial role in the reintegration process of the returnees.

"Established residents should also join hands with the local leaders to help these returnees get back to normal lives.”

He, however, urged the residents to work hard so as to lift themselves out of poverty, and not always wait for government handouts.

"This gesture should motivate other Rwandans still stuck in foreign countries to return home,” he said.

Emile Byiringiro, the vice-mayor in charge of social affairs in Nyamagabe District, urged the beneficiaries to handle the livestock with proper care, saying it is the only way sustainability can be attained.

"This livestock will not only lift me from poverty, but will also provide free manure for my crop farm,” said Claudine Masengesho, one of the beneficiaries.