The Fund for the support of Genocide Survivors (FARG) has pledged to work hard so that all vulnerable survivors will have been housed by the end of 2019.

FARG officials revealed that they are planning to build 579 new houses for homeless survivors and renovate over a thousand. However, the figures may increase after updating their database in May this year before the fiscal year start to make sure no one in need is left behind.

Theophile Ruberangeyo, the Director General of FARG, said all the activities will require 18 billion francs and that they have already submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Finance.

"As we commemorate, support to vulnerable Genocide survivors should be mainly oriented towards construction or rehabilitation of houses,” he said.

Ruberangeyo said that other basic needs other than houses are well catered for by the government through the social protection program by allocating monthly direct support to all vulnerable survivors.

"In the aftermath of the Genocide the majority of Genocide survivors lost their homes and belongings and the government and other partners rapidly intervened. But over the years, most houses have grown old and need renovation while others need to be rebuilt anew.

Since 1998, when FARG was established, we have been dealing with these issues of houses.To date, 26,389 house have been constructed and 3,186 houses rehabilitated,”said Ruberangeyo.

According to FARG, survivors in need of houses are mainly located in the Southern province; Huye, Gisagara, Nyaruguru,Nyamagabe, Nyanza and Rugango districts which  generally has the highest number of survivors in the country.

Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Karongi, and Rubavu districts in the Western province  also have a considerable number of survivors who need support.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw