KIGALI - The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) together with the UNHCR have donated an assortment of goods to refugees living in Kigali city.The function took place, Tuesday, at EFAK Primary School in Kacyiru Sector, Gasabo District.

The items included 960 mosquito nets, clothes, and sanitary towels.

Bertilda Mukangago, in charge of social services in MIDIMAR said; "The main objective of this aid is to improve the living standards of refugees living in Kigali because they deserve to live the same lifestyle like every other Rwandan.”

During the event, the refugees elected seven leaders, representing all refugees from the three districts of Kigali City – Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge.

Speaking to The New Times shortly after the ceremony, Messe Mukombelwa Jerome, who was elected president of the Kigali Refugee Community, said that he will help his colleagues form profit making cooperatives.

"One of my key priorities is to fight food shortage because it’s among our daily challenges,” Mukombelwa said.

He added that he will also encourage his fellow refugees to participate in government programmes, including community work (Umuganda).

Mukombelwa said there are currently over 1,800 refugees living around Kigali City and these include nationals from Eritrea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Chad, and Somalia.

The Executive Secretary of Gasabo District, Ibrahim Ndajimana , who presided over the polls, called upon the refugees to participate in this year’s genocide commemoration activities.

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