Genocide survivors’ houses in sorry state

HUYE/NYAMAGABE - Genocide survivors in Ruhashya and Tare Sectors in Huye and Nyamagabe districts respectively have raised concern over the poor state of their houses which were built for them between 1996 and 1997. The houses were mainly built by international and local non government organizations.The housing units are in dire need of rehabilitation. “I was built a house by Caritas (Catholic organization) in 1996 but it has since depreciated over the years. The roof is leaking because the tiles are broken, the rains are pouring down on us,” said Drocella Mukabugingo, a survivor in Ruhashya Sector and a mother of two. The Sector official in charge of social affairs, talking to The New Times said that the first priority during the recent construction exercise of houses for the vulnerable was given to those who previously never owned houses. “We gave priority to vulnerable survivors who had nowhere to live, we didn’t neglect the state of houses built in 1996-1997,” said Jean Claude Ntakirutimana. “We are lobbying the district to provide a solution for it.” A recent report on the state of the housing problem for vulnerable Genocide survivors in Huye district shows that about 291 Genocide survivors have no shelter. The problem of dilapidated houses is also a concern to Nyamagabe vulnerable Genocide survivors in Tare sector. The district has 116 houses belonging to vulnerable Genocide survivors that are in urgent need of rehabilitation and according to officials, the exercise will start soon. “The problem of the dilapidated houses is known and the district is working around the clock to have it solved,” said Immaculée Mukarwego, the Nyamagabe district vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs. She added: “However, owners of these houses have a duty to take good care of them, they belong to them and therefore it is upon them to ensure that they are in good condition.” Ends