On Friday, August 18, 2023, Bralirwa Plc, Rwanda's leading beverage company, in partnership with the Rwanda Red Cross Society donated relief items of construction materials to families that were affected by recent floods in the region in a handover event that was held at Nyamyumba sector in Rubavu district. In response to the heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding and landslides in the Northern, Western and Southern Provinces of Rwanda, that claimed over 130 lives and destroyed property and several infrastructures, Bralirwa joined efforts with the Rwanda Red Cross Society (RRCS), a humanitarian organization with a mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering, to offer support to the victims of flooding through a donation of 20,000,000 Rwandan Francs. The lump sum donation was geared to support 40 households that were affected by flooding and landslides in Nyamyumba Sector in Rubavu District with provision of construction materials such as iron sheets and cement among others. The selection of the beneficiaries was done through collaboration between Rwanda Red Cross Society and Rubavu district authorities to ensure that the selected families were not living in high-risk zone areas among other key criteria. From the onset of the heavy rainfall disasters, Rwanda Red Cross Society has been supporting the victims of the floods through various emergency actions such as evacuation of victims, relocations of people into safer sites, transfers of injured people to hospitals, distribution of food items and NFIs as well as promotion of WASH interventions. Speaking on behalf of Rwanda Red Cross Society, the Director of Communication, Fundraising and Humanitarian Diplomacy, Mr. Emmanuel Mazimpaka commended the residents of the community for their resilience and appreciated all stakeholders for the joint efforts in addressing social needs and crises. “In all human societies, such initiatives are integral to the process of recovery and rebuilding, and to ensure that the communities not only regain their homes but also their sense of dignity and well-being” said Mazimpaka. Bralirwa, through its sustainability agenda is committed to promoting the social and economic wellbeing of communities. Mrs. Rosette Mutoni, Bralirwa Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs shared condolences for the families that lost their loved ones through the floods and commended the government for the continuous rehabilitation strides to ensure safety. The floods brought immense challenges to the affected communities, and we believe it is our duty to support the affected families by joining efforts with Rwanda Red Cross Society and the district authorities to contribute towards the long-term resilience and wellbeing of the societies where we serve,” said Rosette. District Council Affairs Specialist, Mr. Martin Habimana, thanked Bralirwa on behalf of the district for their enormous support and called upon the residents of Rubavu district to work together to ensure that everyone makes efforts to relocate from high-risk zones near River Sebeya to safer communities.
