Author: b_igi_adm1n

Rwanda will join the rest of the world October 12 in celebrating the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

A week-long Disaster Reduction Campaign will be held from 5 to 12 October 2012. This year’s theme is “Women and girls the invisible force of resilience”.

Commenting on upcoming Disaster Reduction Week, Gen. Marcel Gatsinzi, Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs said, “The International Day on Disaster Reduction is a day to reflect on how much has been done in preventing disasters and planning for better responses in the future.”

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs will support the theme of this year by making women and girls focal points in Disaster Risk Reduction.

Between January to September this year, 60 people have died, 102 people injured, as well as 1920 houses have been damaged and 2387 hactares of plantations demolished.

UNAMID Commander Lt.Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba has called Sudan’s government to arrest those involved in a Tuesday attack which killed four peacekeepers of joint forces of UN-African Union (UNAMID) in Darfur region.

“The mission strongly condemns the criminal attack that targeted our forces that are there to serve the people of Darfur. I call on the Sudanese government to bring perpetrators to justice,”He stated.

Four peacekeepers were killed in an ambush which also wounded eight.

The attack occurred Tuesday in El-Geneina, capital of West Darfur two kilometers from headquarters of peacekeeping mission.

According to UNAMID, “the patrol was targeted by gunfire coming from several directions and responded.”

UN peacekeepers have been deployed in Darfur in 2007 in an attempt to end hostilities between rebels and the Sudanese government.

UNAMID has about 23,500 men and its budget for 2012-13 is US$ 1.4 Billion.

According to UNAMID, 38 members of the mission have been killed in four years.

Officers and men of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) have contributed over Frw1,643,160,972 to Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF).

While receiving the cheque, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, John Rwangombwa commended the country’s armed forces for their selfless and exemplary services to the nation.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. James Kabarebe, said the history of monetary contributions from the Rwandan military towards nation building goes way back to the liberation struggle.

The RDF contribution brings the Fund’s total amount to over Frw20.6 billion in five weeks after it’s launch.

AgDF is a solidarity fund initiated by the Rwandans to improve the financial autonomy of the country.

It is funded through voluntary contributions by Rwandans in the country, in the Diaspora as well as well-wishers

During the meeting with local leaders, Nzeyimana Oscar, the Mayor of Rusizi District urged 94 executive secretaries of cells in the District to ensure good service delivery while dealing with citizens claims.

Local leaders will be trained in customer related services, implementation of Government programs and how to work closely with the District’ stakeholders.

The Mayor of Kicukiro District Paul Jules Ndamage has urged residents in the district to engage in Agriculture activities as another source of income to improve their livelihoods.

Ndamage was launching the annual agriculture season in Nyarugunga.

He said the District has some cultivable land that citizens can use
to produce crops.

He added that Kigali has enough cultivable space noting example
of sectors of Masaka and Gahanga. Those who have no income
generating jobs were mostly encouraged.

The Mayor of Kigali city Ndayisaba Fidèle has said the city has
an overall objective of empowering its citizens through different
programs which aim to improving agriculture sector in some parts
of the city.

Among crops they include vegetable gardens, fruits trees, agro
forestry species and raising cattle.