RUBAVU- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated assorted items to Rubavu residents whose houses were recently destroyed by torrential rains.

The items were handed over to the beneficiaries by the UNFPA resident representative, Benson Morah, on Wednesday.

Addressing the beneficiaries, Morah said the aid targeted women and children because they are the most affected in such calamities. 

"This is just a sign of showing you that you re not in alone, I know some people have pledged support in  various ways. Our is targeting  women and children,” Morah said.

Flanked by district officials and security representatives in the Western Province, Constance Bangire, a representative of the National Women Council at the function, said that the council approached UNFPA to consider women victims.

"We have approached many organisations for support and UNFPA agreed to support women with the kind of donations which has been handed out. The Community Development Fund (CDF) has also agreed to offer iron sheets,” Bangire told reporters.

Mayor Pierre Celestin Twagirayezu urged residents to work hard and try to solve their own problems rather than waiting for aid.

"Aid is but a  temporary gap for bridging problems. It is wiser to work hard. For instance we have to work very hard to prevent soil erosion … as well as being able to cultivate new crops,” Twagirayezu said.  

Authorities say iron sheets will be availed to the residents who have erected their new houses.

However, some Busasamana and Cyanzarwe residents say they cannot manage to build their own houses.

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