Rwandan Peacekeepers serving in the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA) on March 7 shared food with needy families of 5th Arrondissement in Bangui. 

They distributed 3,400 loaves of bread to recently returned families in Socati and Bengewe neighbourhoods (quartiers) who had taken refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp at Bangui Airport.

"This is a tradition of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) of being close to the vulnerable population wherever we serve. RwaMechBatt1 had received issues of lack of food from the population during the security meeting with the population, raising their concerns that Humanitarian NGOs only distribute food to people in IDP camps. This prompted our Forces serving in MISCA to humanely share the little they have with the vulnerable and suffering people in Bangui”, explained Brig. Joseph Nzabamwita, RDF Spokesman.

Local leaders helped in the distribution of the food. 

"Bread was distributed in an orderly manner. We thank you for the support”, Socati local leader, Philemon Lariyom told the peacekeepers.

Apart from performing security duties, Rwanda peacekeepers provide medical care, conduct security meetings with the local population and provide humanitarian escort to convoys of NGOs and Commercial trucks to deliver goods from Cameroon-CAR border to normalise life in CAR.

"Rwandan  peacekeepers in MISCA will continue to escort and deliver commercial and humanitarian goods, a lifeline needed to normalise Bangui and CAR”, underlined Brig Gen Nzabamwita.