Kamonyi, Rwanda – In a significant humanitarian effort, ARDE/KUBAHO, in partnership with MEDICUSMUNDI and UGAMA, and with funding from the Fondo Alavés de Emergencia (FAE), has come to the aid of 60 vulnerable families in Kamonyi District, who were left homeless and without basic necessities following heavy rains and flash floods in 2018/2019.
The assistance was targeted at families in six sectors: Runda, Rugalika, Gacurabwenge, Karama, Ngamba, and Kayenzi, all of which were severely impacted by the natural disaster. Many families, mostly comprised of widows and elderly individuals, had lost their homes and belongings when heavy rainwaters and mud debris swept through their communities. The affected population was forced to seek refuge with nearby families as their homes were either destroyed or severely damaged.
The devastation was widespread, with flash floods causing severe injuries, inundating hectares of crops such as beans, potatoes, maize, and tea, and washing away livestock. The floods also interrupted the district’s water supply system, leaving the population reliant on unsafe water sources and at increased risk of waterborne diseases. Additionally, sanitation infrastructure, including latrines, was destroyed, creating further health hazards as faecal waste mixed with rainwater. Basic household items, clothing, and food stocks were also lost, compounding the hardships faced by the affected families.
This emergency situation led to an urgent need for food, shelter, and essential non-food items such as blankets, sleeping mats, and hygiene materials. The beneficiaries, 90% of whom are elderly and widowed, were in desperate need of support as their lives became more difficult following the disaster.
Among the beneficiaries was 79-year-old Monique Iyabukesha, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the support she received. “I am very happy for the support and I promise to take good care of the materials provided to me,” said Monique, who, for the first time, has a mattress to sleep on.
Through the collaborative efforts of ARDE/KUBAHO, MEDICUSMUNDI, and UGAMA, and with the financial backing of the Spanish donor FAE, this initiative has provided much-needed relief to some of the most vulnerable in Kamonyi District, giving them the hope and tools necessary to begin rebuilding their lives.
