Some 3,000 people are enjoying greater access to vital drinking water following today’s completion of the Gasasa project in Bwiza, 250 kilometres west of the capital Kigali.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Rwanda’s minister for water and mines, accompanied by the head of the ICRC delegation, the governor of Western province, the mayor of Rutsiro district, local authorities and people from Murunda and Rusebeya.
Work on the project began in October 2006 and involved the local community, the authorities of Rutsiro district and the ICRC. “Through initiatives like this one, the ICRC is helping rural people by providing them with safe drinking water and improving their living conditions”, said Tobias Epprecht, head of the ICRC delegation in Kigali. The newly renovated supply system increases the water-production capacity, furnishing 20 litres per person per day.
To ensure sustainable management and efficient operation of the system, the ICRC has helped set up monitoring committees, providing them with technical and accounting resources.
Earlier this year, the ICRC completed a similar project in Kabaya and one involving spring catchments in Muhanga. The organization is planning four further projects in the coming months.
The number of beneficiaries of those projects is estimated at 63,000.
For further information, please contact:
Georgia Trismpioti, ICRC Kigali, tel +250 577344 or +250 0830 5069
