ReliefWeb

On Thursday February 14, 2013, The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR) donated non-food items as relief to families who were left homeless by heavy rain that devastated Kirehe District in the same week.

The donated items included saucepans, bed covers, soaps, hygienic tools and various kitchen utensils in order to assist families who were accommodated by their neighbors after heavy rain completely destroyed their houses and washed away all their home tools.

The heavy rain with storm that beat Kirehe District on Monday February 11, 2013 destroyed more than 170 houses including five classrooms, six church buildings, for local administration offices and 27 hectares of plantations. The most affected sector were Gahara and and Gatore.

According to Eric BUDEDERI, MIDIMAR official in charge of response, the donation was a first aid as the Ministry continues to do advocacy and mobilize resources in order to find iron sheets to support the vulnerable victims whose houses were completely demolished.

District authorities commended the efforts of MIDIMAR to respond in a very quick manner but also pledged to increase the campaign to sensitize the residents to strongly fix the roofs of their houses and knit them with solid materials in order to prevent the consequences of similar wind and storm.

“We are very grateful to MIDIMAR for providing this assistance in such a short period after the incident and we believe that we continue to work together to find more assistance for those who are most affected.” Said Jacquline Murekatete, the Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs in Kirehe District

The Vice Mayor also said that local authorities will increase their efforts in sensitizing the population on disaster prevention by planting windbreak trees and build strong houses with durable and solid materials.