Red Cross calls for more funding

The Government should increase its annual financial allocation to the Rwanda Red Cross, the organisation’s president, Dr Bernard Nzigiye, has said.He was speaking on Tuesday during a function to mark the International Day of the Red Cross.“Although we have other sponsors, our financial position and activities call for increase in the budget allocation from government; we need to implement our plans and retain our employees,” Nzigiye said.The day that was marked under the theme, “Strengthening community resilience and disaster risk reduction” saw RRC set a five year strategic plan.According to RRC Secretary General, Apollinaire Karamaga, government allocates USD 100,000 to the organisation annually.Nzigiye appreciated the support but said more assistance is needed to enable RRC implement its action plan.He noted that in addition to volunteers’ efforts, the budget plays a significant role in the organisation’s quest to impact people’s lives.Red Cross Rwanda plans to help empower the population to deal with challenges, especially natural disasters and disease outbreaks.Nzigiye also talked about the organisation’s achievements for the last five years.“Currently, we are contributing to the support of the more than 6,000 Congolese refugees at Nkamira Transit Camp and 503 Rwandan families displaced by floods,” he said.“We have also provided water systems to enable over 90,000 households access clean water.”RRC has also previously launched a programme to fight HIV/Aids as well as a family planning sensitisation project.Speaking at the function, the Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, commended RRC`s efforts in supporting the needy and promised continued government support.“There is no investment better than investing in people and it is through this kind of partnerships that the health sector has managed to develop to the current standard,” said Binagwaho.

National

Red Cross calls for more funding