Rwandans living in Ethiopia have contributed $7,700 (approx Rwf6.3 million) in an effort to support over 2,130 vulnerable Rwandans in Bugesera District acquire Community Health Insurance (Mutuelle de Sante).

The health insurance cards were handed over to beneficiaries of Ntarama Sector in Bugesera on Tuesday.

The Chairperson of the Association of the Rwandan Community in Ethiopia, Alex Kamurasi, said they did this in order for them to be part of the development endeavours back home.

"This initiative was undertaken by the Rwandan community living in Ethiopia in their quest to be part of the national development efforts and to encourage members to take active role in finding solutions to the problems facing Rwandans by Rwandans,” said Kamurasi.

The Rwandan ambassador to Ethiopia, Hope Tumukunde, said the gesture shows how mobilised the Rwandan community there  is, commending their commitment to keeping tabs on what is happening inside Rwanda and being part of the development process.

"They are committed to supporting government programmes including Community Health Insurance, one-cow-per-poor family, and even starting up investments in the country,” said Tumukunde. 

Rwandans in Ethiopia, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Social Affairs, plan to carry out this project for three years so that it can make meaningful impact on the lives of the beneficiaries.

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