Thursday, April
02, 2020 / 07:03 PM / by Standard Daily Times / Header
Image Credit: Africa Buzzfeed
The Rwandan Government has on Saturday, March 28,
inaugurated a support initiative to vulnerable families who have been affected
by the lockdown aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The move is in line with what President Paul Kagame
had highlighted in his address to the nation on Friday, March 27, where he
noted that the Government will do everything possible to support vulnerable
Rwandans during the coronavirus containment period which is characterised by
social and economic challenges.
President Paul Kagame ordered door to door free
distribution of food to Rwandans and people living in Rwanda as well as other
concessions like free energy (electricity).
Starting Saturday, officials were moving from house by
house to conduct equal distribution under Kagame's direct supervision to avoid
favoritism.
The hard-hit Rwandans living in urban centres without
a salaried income are the most affected.
Currently, Rwanda has 54 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The initiative kicked-off in some parts of the three
districts of Kigali.
However, according to the Ministry for Local
Government, concerned authorities are looking at a proper way of taking the
support to secondary cities as well, and it will also be announced soon.
An official from the ministry noted that "The cities
were prioritized because they are the most affected by the lockdown."
The food relief is being drawn from the country's
National Strategic Grain Reserve under the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal
Resources which is used in case of food shortage.
In addition to this, many citizens country-wide have
also willingly made their contributions to help their vulnerable neighbors.
According to the local government ministry, the
beneficiaries were detected with the help of local authorities because they are
the ones who know the vulnerable in their specific location.
The distribution is by local officials and other
volunteers who are doing it while observing COVID-19 preventive measures.
Related News
Signup with Facebook
Signup with Twitter
