Displaced residents receive food aid

MUSANZE -- Over 400 families displaced by landslides triggered by water gushing from the Virunga Mountains have received an assortment of foodstuffs, as the district plans to resettle them in another site.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

MUSANZE -- Over 400 families displaced by landslides triggered by water gushing from the Virunga Mountains have received an assortment of foodstuffs, as the district plans to resettle them in another site.

All residents from three settlements (Midugudu) of Sangano, Karebero and Ntundo in Kivugiza cell, in Muko sector were displaced as floods destroyed their houses and property worth millions of Francs.

The affected residents who are currently hosted by relatives and friends received maize, maize flour, beans and other foodstuffs.

peaking to the residents, Provincial Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe asked them to collaborate with the district authorities in resettling the affected families.

He also advised residents close to the water channels, and river running from Virungas to vacate the areas immediately.

More than 300 people’s homes were completely destroyed in Muko sector of Musanze, including eight business structures and an estimated 150 hectares of food crops in the five sectors close to the Virunga Mountains.

 "The government is doing everything possible to ensure your survival, we are asking each one to cooperate with the authorities in the relocation programme,’’ Bosenibamwe said.

There is still fear as heavy rains were reported in the Virunga Mountains that additional damage is likely to occur once more, with local authorities warning that residents in close range to the three water ways of Susa, Mukungwa and Rwabeya were at high risk of being affected.

 The most affected areas were Muko, Gataraga, Musanze, Kinigi and Shingiro sectors in Musanze, while Mukamira sector in Nyabihu, and parts of Rubavu district close to the Virunga were also affected.

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