Volunteers in Rwanda commemorate the International Day of Volunteers
25 November 2007 – Nyamasheke Western Province : The United Nations Volunteers and other volunteers organizations joined the international community to celebrate the international day of volunteers, which is celebrated every year on 5 December.
 In the framework of the preparations of the day, more than 50 national and international volunteers from various organizations such as LOV-Rwanda, JICA, UNV, VSO, KOICA and some UNDP staff members left Kigali for the Western Province's district of Nyamasheke. On Saturday, 24 November 2007 they joined the population of the district in a community work where they built houses for the local populations displaced from the shores of Lake Kivu in the framework of the UNDP supported Development of Environment Management Capacity at the District and Community Level (DEMP) project. The project is supported by UNDP, the Government of the Netherlands and the Government of Rwanda and executed by the Ministry of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water and Natural Resources in Rwanda.
The displacement of these people was in the framework of the new policy to protect the environment, especially by protecting the shores of lakes, swamps and other water sources. These efforts will help Rwanda mover forward the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) agenda, especially with regards to MDG 7 on ensuring sustainable environment. Speaking at the event, Hon. Elysée Bisengimana thanked the UN volunteers for supporting the populated displaced from the lakes shores and protecting the environment, which is among the priorities of the government. He also sensitized the population to fight HIV and AIDS in their families. The UNV programme officer said the activity was in support of the MDGs. He invited the population present to support volunteerism as a way of promoting human development and a step in helping Rwanda and Africa meet the MDGs.
The UNDP sponsored project aims at developing and implementing policies, regulations, guidelines and standards for environment protection at central and decentralized levels. It also wants to strengthen the capacity for coordination of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and the Ministry of land, environment protection, water and mines in environment management and ecosystem conservation. It finally strengthens communities and locals governments for ecosystem and land conservation and rehabilitation. The DEMP is of particular importance in the empowerment of decentralised structures at local levels on issues of sustainable environment management. The project is supported by five UNV serving as Environment Specialists.
On the occasion of this community work, commonly known as « Umuganda », the volunteers donated materials to the district of Nyamasheke. The materials included hoes, spades, pickaxes, wheelbarrows, etc. which will help the community to continue this solidarity in helping the resettlement of people affected by this displacement caused by the need for their own security but also to ensure sustainable environment in the region. |
Rwanda
