RDRC to re-screen ex-combatants with disabilities

HUYE - The Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) plans to re-screen ex-combatants living with disabilities in a bid to harmonise the list of its beneficiaries, Maj. Gen Paul Rwarakabije, the Vice Chairman in charge of the Southern Province has said. Rwarakabije made the remarks at a ceremony to distribute living allowances for ex-combatants living with disabilities. The remarks however, come amidst complaints from some ex-combatants living with disabilities- who claim they were left out despite fully providing the requirements for assistance from the commission. “We will conduct a new screening exercise to determine who benefits from the scheme. Everyone who is found to be deserving will inevitably receive support,” Rwarakabije said. Many disabled ex-combatants watched as their colleagues received cheques from the commission as part of monthly living allowance. “We expected to get the cheques from the Commission [RDRC] but our names are not on the list,” said Aloys Gatera, a disabled ex-combatant. Those to be selected will receive a monthly payment ranging from Rwf20 000 to Rwf35 000. A committee of four physicians has been put in place to study each particular case with an intention of coming up with a list of those eligible for help. Frodouard Habiyaremye, the RDRC representative in the province, said that those who had minor cases were not considered at the moment. Ends