Government’s evacuation fund for high risk dwellers timely

THE construction of houses for 30,822 families meant to be resettled from areas regarded as prone to disasters across the country is timely. It is a historical step in the country’s efforts to avoid disasters associated with high risk areas.The development is good news to the majority of the families living in these high risk areas. Many of them are the poor of the poorest, who cannot afford to relocate at their own expense. The initiative will in the long run save people from avoidable disasters including death and destruction of property like we have seen in the past incidents. It will also save government millions in expenses on after effects of disasters in high risk areas. Last year, 75 people died from disasters in risky zone areas. This year alone, 58 people died. The injured in the same period are around 150 people while about 10,000 houses were destroyed by the disasters which included floods and heavy storms.In endeavouring to construct houses for those living in high risk areas, Government is trying to avoid such situations. The evacuation plan that will cost Rwf6.5bn should not be derailed by selfish and unrealistic demands. The beneficiaries of this programme should also cooperate and avoid making unrealistic demands.The government plans to give the very poor completed houses. The units of the high risky zone evictees will cost Rwf9m each upon completion. By any standards these are modest offers and so all those living in high risk areas have no excuse beyond this offer.

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Government’s evacuation fund for high risk dwellers timely