SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The government still needs Frw5 billion to rehabilitate infrastructure in the quake-hit districts of Nyamasheke and Rusizi, an official said on Friday.

While addressing journalism and communication students at the National University of Rwanda (NUR), Elam Karara, the national Coordinator of Disaster Management, said the government currently has secured only Frw1.4 billion of the Frw6.5 billion needed to re-build schools, hospitals, and houses which were destroyed by the February earthquake in the Western Province of the country.

"The aftermath is sad and heavy. The government is firmly engaged to help the population," Karara said.

He reaffirmed the government commitment to re-build basic infrastructure in the affected districts. It will either rebuild or renovate 325 classrooms in four secondary schools.

It will also rebuild Bushenge Hospital where all the structures were destroyed apart from the maternity ward.

The money will also be allocated to the building of about 2,388 houses for affected families currently living in tents.

Karara said that some donors in the country pledged to provide funds towards the rehabilitation but many were yet to confirm if the aid is already in place. He said they have scheduled a meeting with the donors in which they will find out the availability of the funds.

"The government wants to work with others. We are waiting for our partners," he said.

Among the partners who have pledged to intervene in the rehabilitation process include: The First Lady’s Office, UNICEF, European Commission, Belgian government, and the Japanese government.

But if these donors don’t meet their pledges this year, the disaster management coordinator said some activities planned for this year would be executed next year.

"What is important is that we bring an effective and rapid response," Karara said, stressing that the government wants children in the two districts to have strong classrooms built by early next year.

Karara said the houses for the displaced will be built through community work where the rest of the population helps each other in construction works. But government will provide construction materials like cement, iron sheets, windows, and doors.

According the most recent report by the government, the quake killed 39 people; it injured 643, of which 367 are still suffering from psychological trauma.

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