Rwanda has reduced poverty by 4.4 percent through the Local Government Social Protection Program (VUP) under Rwanda Local Development Support Fund (RLSDF).
The RLSDF was introduced in March 2008 with the aim of reducing extreme poverty in the country from 36.9 % to 23.4 % before the end of 2012.
Gatsinzi Justin, Deputy Director General for the social protection program says: “In the VUP program our poverty reduction strategy operates through three approaches which are public works , direct support and credit assistance”.
According to Gatsinzi, the program covers a wide network across the country with operations in 120 sectors: “In terms of direct support we have so far given more than Frw 2.7 billion to 44, 263 people living in extreme poverty in 90 sectors this year” says Gatsinzi.
He pointed out that those not living below the poverty line were given credit assistance that has made remarkable results. At the moment from 2010, 37,215 people were given credit worth Frw4.1 billion.
Gatsinzi also revealed that from the credit issued through VUP program, about 5,869 cows were purchased, while 17,433 houses built.
The credit scheme enabled the people to acquire farms totaling 10,495 and more 60,783 individuals were able to access community healthcare under RAMA medical scheme.
Gatsinzi further pointed out that dropout rates have significantly reduced and this shows that VUP is contributing to the education sector as well says Kayiza Fidele, Deputy Director General for local development in the RLSDF.
“VUP as a result of providing easier access to education is facilitating the implementation of the 12 year basic education scheme.” He stressed..
In the strategy of public works, more than 200,000 people were employed from 2010 until now and through their hard work 593km of road were constructed as well as 43 classrooms 88 bridges and 110 wells.
“The outcome of this program through the 90 sectors it has operated in has been tremendous through the socio economic benefits it has generated,” says Gatsinzi
Jabo Paul, Executive Secretary the western province provided his views on the impact that the program has had in the region.
“We live in an area of high economic potential, with fertile soils, possibility of fishing from lake Kivu and potential market from the boarder but despite this potential, the population is poor.
“However the introduction of VUP has helped raise awareness and skills among the population, 90% now have access to healthcare that increased from 30 per cent, the poor grass thatched houses -Nyakatsi have been eradicated” he explained adding that Agriculture has Vastly improved and 1060 people have now been employed through public works.
This development program is specifically within Rwanda’s long-term initiative- Vision 2020 and the global Millennium Development Goals that targets eradication poverty in all developing countries by 2015.
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