EASTERN PROVINCE

KIREHE — About 500 people were left homeless when heavy rains destroyed their homes on Wednesday afternoon in Kirehe District. About 150 houses were destroyed and eight people were injured.

The injured, two of them seriously, were referred to Kirehe health centre which is yet to be commissioned as a hospital. The disaster happened in the two sectors of Kigarama and Nyamugari.

About 30 houses were destroyed in Kigarama while 120 others were destroyed in the latter. Close to 10 houses were also completely pulled down by the rains while others remained roofless.

Also destroyed are crops such as banana plantations and coffee trees among others. Some of those whose houses were completely destroyed sought refuge at their neighbours and friends while those whose houses’ roof were blown off by the storm slept in roofless houses as others slept outside.

By press time, yesterday, no aid had been rendered to the victims. However, Didas Habineza, who is in charge of disaster preparedness, in the Fund for Genocide survivors (FARG) in Kirehe district said that the Red Cross had promised them some help but it was yet to be received.

"But we hope to have received this assistance by tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. Otherwise these people are now in poor condition,” Habineza said.

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