The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, was unknown before its outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. By January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and on March 11, 2020, it was officially labeled a pandemic. Since then, the virus has spread rapidly across the globe, causing widespread disruption to commercial activities and societal routines.
The pandemic, often referred to as COVID-19, has presented an unprecedented challenge to global economies, including Rwanda. The government-imposed lockdowns, aimed at containing the spread of the virus, have had significant economic repercussions. For many, particularly vulnerable communities, the lockdown has not only halted business activities but also put livelihoods at risk. It has disrupted well-established supply chains for both essential and non-essential goods, leaving many families, especially those already struggling, in dire situations.
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis, ARDE/KUBAHO and UGAMA, in partnership with MEDICUSMUNDI, launched a humanitarian initiative on April 18th to support vulnerable families in Kamonyi District. The effort, valued at 10,200,000 Rwandan francs, saw food and essential items distributed to 422 families, including members of women’s cooperatives that ARDE/KUBAHO works with.
The distributed items included maize flour, beans, rice, sugar, salt, as well as basic hygiene and sanitation supplies such as soap, hand sanitizer, and masks. The quantity of food and supplies provided was determined by the number of people in each household, ensuring that every family received what they needed to sustain themselves during the lockdown.
All distributions were carried out in strict adherence to the hygiene guidelines set by the Ministry of Health in Rwanda, with the food and essential items being packaged in clean sacks and envelopes before being handed over to the recipients.
This act of solidarity complements the Rwandan government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that all citizens have access to basic necessities during the pandemic and to limit the spread of the deadly virus. The initiative underscores the importance of community support in times of crisis, particularly in helping those most affected by the lockdown.
