Ex-combatants with disabilities to receive gov’t assistance

KIGALI - A group of five medical experts are carrying out medical examinations on ex-combatants with disabilities from several medical centres country wide. This is aimed at ascertaining their degree of disability in order to benefit from government assistance. Speaking to The New Times this week, the Chairman of the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) Jean Sayinzoga, said the ex-combatants will be categorized in four groups depending on their level of disability. He explained that the first category are ex-combatants having 90 percent and above of disabilities, while the second category range from 70 to 89 percent of disability.“The third category ranges from 50 to 69 percent of disability, while the fourth category ranges from 30 to 49 percent disability,” said Sayinzoga “The first category shall have houses built for them, in addition to free medical care and subsistence allowance of Rwf50,000 every month, while the second category will also get houses, free medical care plus a monthly allowance of Rwf35,000,” he said. Sayinzoga added that the third category of ex-combatants with disabilities shall receive monthly subsistence allowance of Rwf25000, while the fourth category will receive Rwf20,000. “The third and fourth category shall also benefit from medical treatment, for disabilities incurred during the time of carrying out active military service,” he added. Ends