The government has committed to offer reparations to residents of Rubavu District for damages caused by recent heavy shelling from DR Congo, Alain Mukuralinda, Rwanda’s Deputy Government Spokesperson has said. The shelling, which occurred on Monday, January 27th, as the M23 fighters closed in on Goma city which was in the hands of FARDC and its coalition that also included the genocidal FDLR and other militia groups and the force from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Instead of engaging with the M23, the coalition bombarded the Rwandan territory especially in and around the border town of Rubavu. ALSO READ: Rubavu-Goma border crossing returns to normal The targeted cross-border attacks damaged homes, schools, and businesses in Rubavu, particularly parts of the town and Cyanzarwe Sector. While a comprehensive assessment of the damage is still underway, the government has already pledged full support to the affected communities. The government will cover 100 percent of the damages, Mukuralinda said. This pledge follows previous and ongoing interventions to support victims of the shelling, which tragically claimed 16 lives and injured 177 others. The assessment is in progress, but we are actively addressing the needs of the victims. This includes providing temporary housing [rent] for families whose homes were destroyed, supporting burial ceremonies, and offering bereavement support to families of the deceased, Mukuralinda explained. Preliminary figures from Rubavu District indicate that approximately 231 homes were damaged by bombs and bullets, with 10 severely impacted. Seven schools, including five public schools, were also struck. The cross-border attack by DR Congo army in Rubavu, according to Mayor Proper Mulindwa, particularly affected areas that are geographically located close to the border with Goma town where even minor damage like broken doors and shattered windows, was widespread due to small arms fire The bombardment was intense, Mulindwa recounted. Without our country's strong defense, the devastation would have been far greater. Many shells were neutralized before they could cause further harm. He noted that areas like Mbugangari cell in Gisenyi Sector sustained significant damage, with numerous buildings hit by shells. Initial data from the ongoing assessment placed the value of the damage at Rwf 257 million, excluding the loss of livestock killed by bullets. ALSO READ: DR Congo shelling damages homes, schools in Rubavu We cannot sleep and stay in such a damaged house, Maria Iradukunda, one of the border residents whose homes were struck by bombs or rockets in Mbugangari told The New Times the day after the tragedy. Everything is gone except a few things we managed to get out, including chairs. I don't have anywhere else to stay or the resources to renovate it.”
