There are only six trained psychiatrists in Rwanda, though the number of people with mental disorders is on the rise, health officials said ahead of Mental Health Day. However, mental health services have been scaled up in all district hospitals countrywide and plans are underway to boost the number of psychiatrists in the country.
The Fund for the Assistance to Genocide Survivors has set aside Rwf1.6 billion for the renovation of survivors’ houses that were built between 1999 and 2002. Currently, the Fund is carrying out an assessment to determine the exact number of houses that need immediate attention, and emphasis will be put on the most vulnerable families.
Noam Schimmel calls for the United Nations to create a dedicated voluntary trust fund for survivors of the Rwandan genocide. This trust fund would provide a central address for aid agencies and governments to channel funds to address survivor needs and create programs that specifically address their unique circumstances.
Survivors Fund, in partnership with Redress and IBUKA, has been working on developing submissions on draft and current legislation that impacts on the rights of survivors. At present, the Rwanda Parliament is debating a new law on the termination of gacaca courts, which is planned for 18th June. As a final decision on this draft law is pending, it is the focus of their first submission.
A survey has indicated that many women’s rights to inherit property in Rwanda, especially in villages, are violated. The survey was conducted between January and March this year. The findings indicated that women’s right to property is abused in spite of protective laws in place.
At an international conference on genocide held in Kigali, Rwanda, in the first week of April, it was suggested that the survivors of the genocide should tell their stories as they are the people best suited to give an accurate account of what happened.
The Gregorian Schola Karolus Magnus (the Netherlands) just released their latest CD “The Martyred Virgins: A Gregorian memorial to female victims of violence”. On it, one can hear parts of the testimonials of three Rwandan women who were profiled in “The Men Who Killed Me”. The music is a tribute to all women all over the world who face violence.
In January and February 2012, Anne-Marie and the board of the Mukomeze Foundation – recipient of the proceeds from “The Men Who Killed Me” – visited its partner organisation Solace Ministries in Rwanda. The visit provided a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand how the beneficiaries of Mukomeze’s sponsorship programme are doing, as well as the opportunity to visit projects sponsored through the Mukomeze Foundation, such as a university project and a number of income-generating projects involving a fruit trees nursery, ground nuts farming, sewing and knitting.
Rwanda’s Prime Minister Bernard Makuza announces that, since the establishment of the Fund for Genocide Survivors, the government has spent Rwf 110.8 billion towards the welfare of survivors. The fund was established in 1998 to improve the welfare of genocide survivors by providing them with basic needs including shelter, healthcare, education and guidance towards self-sustainability.
Juergen Schurr reports that at a conference in Kigali last month, survivors stressed once again that they considered that justice without reparation is not justice. As of today, judgments awarding compensation to survivors have not been enforced and survivors have yet to receive reparation.
By AHRAL payday loans
