WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU – Residents whose houses and property were destroyed in last year’s September 28 heavy rains in the Gisenyi Sector; this Wednesday received an assortment of household items worth Rwf.14m.

The support  was solicited by National Council of Women from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

It included 800 sanitation pads 800 underpants, 350 bales of cloth, 800 bars of washing soap, 800 buckets, 800 toothbrushes and toothpastes, 800 towels, and 650kg of child nutritional food.

The items were handed over at the Rubavu cell offices, at a ceremony attended by dozens of women.

Receiving the donation, the district Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs Jacqueline Bakunduseruye thanked the National Council of Women and UNFPA for the support, reaffirming the district’s resolve to resettle those without permanent houses.

"Sanitation supplies is very vital especially to women. The district is also working hard to ensure that they have permanent and safe houses to live in,” she said.

Beatrice Mukagasonga, the vice president of National Council of Women promised to continue soliciting for more forms of support  from well wishers to ensure the storm victims get the required assistance they need to normalize their lives.

"After the September 28, 2008 heavy rains, the victims contacted us for support. We did our best to solicit aid from donors and UNFPA provided some funds which we used to buy various commodities mainly sanitation supplies and related items for women,” she said, noting that women victims were mainly considered because unlike men, women have special sanitary needs.

"All I can say to the victims is that we are behind them, the National Women Council is working day and night to get more aid from various organisations,” she added.  About 1.893 people were affected by the storm.

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