4,000 households to benefit from Red Cross clean water initiative

Rwanda Red Cross, yesterday, inaugurated a water facility in Gasabo District meant to supply clean water to at least 4,000 vulnerable households in the area.

Thursday, January 28, 2016
The residents fetch water from the new facility yesterday. They will no longer walk long distances to fetch water. (Julius Bizimungu)

Rwanda Red Cross, yesterday, inaugurated a water facility in Gasabo District meant to supply clean water to at least 4,000 vulnerable households in the area.

The water was provided under the Rwanda Red Cross’s clean water project, ‘Improved Resilience of Households in Gasabo’, that is aimed at promoting peoples’ health and livelihoods.

The beneficiaries are in two sectors, Bumbogo and Ndera.

Speaking at the event, Bernard Nzigiye, the president of Rwanda Red Cross, urged residents to handle the water facility properly.

‘‘The water project is one of the community-based interventions by the Red Cross,’’ Nzigiye said.

Marie Vianney Ntaganzwa, a Gasabo District official, commended Rwanda Red Cross for being a good partner in development.

Many beneficiaries said the water came as relief.

"We’ve been walking long distances to fetch water which was even not clean. We are, therefore, so happy for this project; and hope that water-borne diseases will be kept at bay,” noted Evode Mugabire, one of the beneficiaries.

At the same event, 100 previous beneficiaries of a Red Cross project, who had previously received pigs, gave piglets to other beneficiaries.

Donatille Uwimana, a resident of Nyabikenke village, said piggery has improved their economic status.

All the activities were worth Rwf10 million, according to the Rwanda Red Cross president, and the initiative was funded by Spain Red Cross.

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