EASTERN PROVINCE

BUGESERA — Rwandese returnees from Tanzania, currently resettled in Nemba camp have complained of poor returns from the food for work project.

The residents said they are doing too much work and paid very little food.

"We are doing very hard work of constructing houses and at the same time gaining little food which is even delayed,” one of the residents, Eric Mugandura said.

Mugandura said they work eight hours a day, and are paid between one to eight kilograms of maize floor, two kilograms of beans or peas, and one liter of cooking oil regardless of the amount of work they have done monthly.
 Food for work is a program of World Food Program where individuals are given work and paid food rations as wages.

In this latest arrangement, the returnees were employed to work on their own shelter and get food in return.

They said that recently they rejected ‘expired’ Maize floor from world vision.

Efforts to get a comment from World Vision, which is one the development partners operating in the district were futile by press time.

They also noted that they were facing an escalating food and water shortage.

In a mini survey carried out by The New Times in the camp, it was established that most residents in the two camps of Nemba and Rutete depend on Food for Work for their survival.

Piped water was extended to the area, but they complained that a Jeri-can of water is charged Frw 15 which they said is costly considering their income.

However, in a telephone interview, Mayor Gaspard Musonera said the residents should cooperate with the development partners instead of blaming them.

"Food for work is offered in construction works under the World Food Programme and the Red Cross. I think people are equally paid and accordingly,” he said.

 On water, the Mayor said he was not aware of the water charges, though he pointed out that it was difficult to extend water to the area from the nearest source in neighbouring Burundi Rivers, the reason, a certain fee may have been instituted.

 "I don’t think these people are even charged this a mount of money but some times they take things for granted. This has not yet existed in the camp,” said Musonera.

He down played the food shortage saying the government provided them with Cassava stems for growing food that they were yet to harvest.

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