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RWANDA-DRC: Quake survivors complain about poor shelter

28 Feb 2008 14:29:32 GMT
Source: IRIN

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• Earthquakes

KIGALI, 28 February 2008 (IRIN) - Survivors of an earthquake that hit southwestern Rwanda in early February have complained that their shelter needs have not been adequately met, despite efforts to provide them with other basic necessities.

"The painful day-to-day living conditions that we are currently facing remain largely forgotten, despite relief provided to us in days following the quake," said Gaston Minani, a father of five, who lost his home in Rusizi district.

Most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been living in tents or crowded halls, many of which used to be school dormitories. In some cases, hundreds of people have been forced to share halls meant for only 20 students.

At least 43 people were killed and hundreds displaced since quakes of varying strength hit the southwestern districts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Kivu region between 3 and 15 February.

In Rwanda, an estimated 1,201 families lost their homes and some 20 primary and four secondary schools were damaged.

"I don't think of my lost livestock or our destroyed home," said Therese Nyirambababazi, a 38-year-old mother of one in Gihundwe displaced persons' camp. "I only think of my husband and my brother who lost their lives. We were sleeping when the quake shook our house and destroyed it. I don't know how I managed to escape before the walls collapsed," she told IRIN. "Entire families were crushed to death in their beds."

Penelope Kantarama, governor of western province, said food aid was still being distributed to affected people in remote areas of Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts.

The Rwandan government, the local Red Cross, UN agencies and the World Vision NGO have provided various kinds of assistance.

Some 700 family kits, including plastic sheeting, blankets and other items, have been distributed but the Rwandan government said an additional 501 family kits were required. Rwanda's Prime Minister Bernard Makuza told reporters on 14 February that the aid packages included domestic utensils, blankets and sleeping mats.

Medical teams have also provided mobile health clinics and nutritional support.

"Not all the displaced are in camps. Some of them are now mixing with the residents of the villages that have not been affected by the quake," said Jean-Pierre Turatsinze, the mayor of Rusizi.

Some of those affected complained of malnutrition among children, and poor sanitation, which could be the cause of diarrhoea in the camps.

Several residents of Rusizi and Nyamasheke said they were reluctant to return home because aftershock tremors had been felt since they fled.

The southwestern region of Rwanda, near Lake Kivu, is part of a region in the east African Rift Valley that frequently experiences tectonic movements.

Across the border in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a new tremor, followed by several aftershocks, was felt in the city of Bukavu and the surrounding areas on 27 February, vulcanologists said.

Dieudonne Wafula, head of the Goma Volcano Centre, said an earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter Scale was felt at 4.07am.

"The earthquake was followed by four or five aftershocks that sent residents of Bukavu into panic even as they were beginning to forget about previous tremors and were getting back to spending nights in their houses," said Wafula. Seven people died and 44 were injured during the first earthquake on 3 February.

No injuries have been reported from the latest quake and an assessment is being carried out to determine whether it caused any damage.

Bukavu mayor Bonga Laisi said that 3,465 homes and public buildings had been damaged in the previous tremors.

at-ei/jn/mw

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