GICUMBI - Members of Gicumbi District Joint Action Development Forum (JADF), Wednesday unveiled plans to eradicate grass thatched houses commonly known  as Nyakatsi.

The forum, made up of NGOs, banking institutions, religious organizations, industries and cooperative societies, unveiled the plan at a meeting that took place at Byumba Anglican Church conference hall.

In a fundraising drive, members raised millions in pledges, with the World Vision pledging Rwf40m worth of building materials.

"It is part of World Vision’s program to construct decent shelter for vulnerable persons in the district,” said World vision Northern Province Zone manager, Polycarpe Nshimirimana.

Byumba Anglican Church Diocese representatives at the meeting pledged to contribute over 1000 iron sheets towards the housing project.

Bank Populaire du Rwanda, Care International, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF and ADEPR promised to announce their contributions at a later stage.
In his address, Mayor Bonane Nyangezi said the district has so far constructed a total of 1,766 houses. It has about 6,799 thatched houses.

"Your contributions to eradicate Nyakatsi are highly needed since the Northern Province authorities set March as the deadline,” said Nyangezi.

He disclosed that the district would resettle all residents living in the traditional huts in 102 selected settlement sites spread across the district.

"Assisting to eradicate Nyakatsi is, in part, patriotism, and a way of uplifting vulnerable members of our society from poverty,” he observed.

The vice Mayor for Social affairs, Eugenie Uwamahoro, said Gicumbi has more residents living in thatched houses compared to other districts in the province.

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