From 16-19 August 2016, officials from the Ministry of Disaster Management and refugee affairs (MIDIMAR), with partners conducted a tour in different District of the country to handover accommodations houses to 25 families of Rwandans who have returned from exile during different years back.
The beneficiaries included seven in Bugesera District, 10 in Nymasheke District, six in Rusizi and two in Nyamagabe District.
Shelter support of is one component of the Sustainable Return and Reintegration project implemented jointly by the Government of Rwanda through MIDIMAR with the One UN in Rwanda.
Other 44 houses currently at the final construction stage, in Rubavu, Nyabihu, Musanze, Karongi and Ngororero and Burera, are in pipeline to be handed over to beneficiaries in the coming future.
Houses given to returnees in different districts
The beneficiaries hailed the government and partners ascertaining that the houses support they acquired is key pillar to their successful socioeconomic reintegration into the society.
Rwaniye Stephane, one of houses’ beneficiaries in Bugesera District, returned from DRC in 2013 from DRC where he had been exiled since 1994. The seemingly 70s old man expressed his happiness, saying the house he received renewed hope for extended life time.
“Words can’t express how I feel. I thank the government which take care to its citizens, including an old man like me, I am not really able to express my joy today.” Said the old man as he crapped hands as the only gesture to express gratitude.
“Glory be to God” said Ndungutse Innocent, a beneficiary in Rusizi District, as he knelt down to express his heartfelt gratitude for the house his was given.” I was really unstable, always awaken by the owner of the house that I was renting, since sometimes I couldn’t afford to pay regularly. Getting my own houses becomes a strong support to me, as the money I was using to rent accommodation will help me to create income generating activities.” He continued.
Mukantabana Seraphine, the Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs affirmed that it is the will and commitment of the government of Rwanda to receive all Rwandan returnees and ensure that they are supported to get reintegrated into the community.
“The government is committed to ensure the welfare all Rwandans, including returnees. Security and peace is granted for all Rwandans still in exile to voluntarily return, and as a country we are prepared to ensure that returnees have a decent life like other Rwandans” said Minister.
Dr. Olushayo Oluseun Olu, the Country Director of World Health Organization in Rwanda, on the behalf of the UN Resident coordinator in Rwanda, assured of the continued commitment of the UN family to support reintegration programs for Rwanda returnees.
“We also want to make sure that when they come they can have a source of income, they can have opportunity for livelihood, they can have access to health care, to education, etc. we have the capacity and we continue to work to mobilize more resources to ensure that we are able to provide more services to returnees.” said Dr. Olushyayo
The sustainable return and reintegration project for Rwandan returnees was initiated in 2011, with the objective to respond to the socioeconomic needs of thousands of exiled Rwandans returning as effect of the Cessation Clause invocation.
It is implemented by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee affairs, with UN System delivering as one in Rwanda. The implementing agencies include UNHCR, UNDP, UN Habitat, UNICEF, FAO, WFP, and IOM.
The beneficiaries of the project are supported in the areas of shelter, education, agriculture and live stocking, vocational skills training, governance and justice.