MPs call for urgent aid to quake victims

KIMIHURURA - Members of the Chamber of Deputies have called for urgent relief supplies to the victims of last Sunday’s earthquakes which hit two districts in the Western Province. The quakes claimed at least 38 lives and injured hundreds others in the districts of Nyamasheke and Rusizi. Hundreds others were displaced by the catastrophe. During Wednesday’s parliamentary session, MP Charles Kamanda tabled a motion before the Lower House expressing concern over the victims that are yet to get relief. During his presentation, Kamanda told fellow MPs that most of the victims do not have shelter and are currently sleeping outside. The parliamentary bureau delegated the Standing Committee on Social Welfare to follow up the issue and ensure that quick aid is delivered to the victims. Experts believe that the Sunday tremors are the most powerful of the kind occurred within hours of one another with magnitudes of 6.1 and 5.0 respectively. The tremors that shook the province for hours also destructed about 250 residential houses and other commercial buildings which were left with cracks and in terrible conditions. The parliamentary outcry comes at a time when the Rwandan Diaspora in Britain was due to meet in London yesterday in a crisis meeting to raise funds for aid relief to those displaced by the earthquakes. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say that Western Province Governor, Penelope Kantarama, has opened up a bank account through which financial relief for the victims would be channeled. By press time however, the governor was not available for comment. Most of the affected people live in the outlying areas.Ends

National

MPs call for urgent aid to quake victims