As Rwanda marks the 31st anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi, the Social Welfare Service in Huye District has revealed a pressing housing crisis affecting genocide survivors. Currently, 718 families remain without proper housing, while 1,918 homes require urgent renovation to improve living conditions.
Despite ongoing efforts, district authorities acknowledge that progress is slow. The Deputy Mayor in charge of Economic Development, André Kamana, emphasized the limitations in resources, stating during a meeting with partners on May 27, 2025, that only 20 homes are scheduled for construction in the current fiscal year. “If we continue at this pace, we will not be able to help them all,” Kamana cautioned, urging stakeholders to contribute to the initiative.
Beyond genocide survivor households, Huye District also reports additional cases of extreme poverty, with 43 families in dire need of shelter, 308 homes deemed uninhabitable, and 203 households lacking toilets, while 2,002 others require improved sanitation facilities. The situation underscores the broader need for infrastructure development and social support.
Collaborative Efforts to Address Urgent Needs
Partners, including members of the Joint Action Forum (JADF), have pledged to collaborate with sector leaders to tackle these challenges. JADF head Cyprien Ugirumurera stressed that the effort must go beyond providing immediate assistance. “We must also help them change their mindset so that what we have helped them achieve will be sustainable,” he explained.
The first step in the response plan will focus on improving sanitation, addressing the lack of proper toilets in some households. Stakeholders have agreed to prioritize hygiene improvements before expanding their support to broader housing needs.
As efforts continue, stakeholders emphasize the importance of sustained support to ensure long-term improvements for genocide survivors and other vulnerable families in Huye District.
