UN Rwanda responds quickly to earthquake emergency needs

ECA Press Release No. 02/2008

Kigali, 13th February 2008: The UN agencies in Rwanda join forces to assist in meeting the immediate needs caused by the earthquake that struck the Western Province on Sunday 3rd February.

On February 3rd an earthquake struck the Western Province of Rwanda causing 37 deaths and 643 injured and traumatized in Nyamasheke and Rusizi Districts. 1,201 family houses, 20 schools, 45 churches, 1 hospital and 3 health centres have been damaged and affected families are in need of shelter.

The UN responded immediately by supplying tents, plastic sheeting, medicines and family kits. 'We're now preparing for further support for water purification, medicines, family kits and temporary shelter for affected families, school children and hospital patients,' says Moustapha Soumaré UN Resident Coordinator.

On Monday 4th February the Government sent a Ministerial Team to the area for an assessment and to quickly establish an assistance mechanism. The UN Country Team joined the Government mission to assess best ways for UN support.

'The UN is well equipped to assist the Government in responding to this Emergency situation' says Moustapha Soumaré. 'Working to deliver as One helps us quickly design a support package based on each of the agencies comparitive advantage', he adds.

' It is important that after a quick assessment of needs and response, UN agencies and partners assist on organizing a deeper assessment to identify areas and people with specific needs, find out additional risk such as emergent epidemic prone diseases due to the earthquake, by strengthening the surveillance system and support in the elaboration of an advocacy document for the immediate, middle and long term period' says Dr Mamadou Malifa Balde, Officer in Charge of WHO.

'In an emergency situation, children and women bear the blunt of the impact. In this emergency more than 30,000 Primary school children and more than 2,000 secondary school children are missing school. While the psychological stress experienced is difficult to assess, the UN and other partners are working with the Government to ensure a quick return to school in a safer environment for the children.' says Dr Joseph Foumbi, UNICEF Representative.

' It is important to respond to immediate needs of health and shelter. No urgent food needs have been identified. However, many families have lost their houses and people are injured, which hampers their livelihood and coping mechanisms in a longer run. This is why the UN will field a mission for livelihoods assessment together with the Red Cross to respond, if so needed, to increased food insecurity at household level', clarifies Maarit Hirvonen, WFP Representative.

'Among UN Agencies in Rwanda we have a solid collective experience in responding to emergency situations like this. As a team we can react in a coordinated way with each UN agency contributing according to its mandate', says Moustapha Soumaré.

For more information on the "One UN - Delivering as One: in Rwanda, please contact: Ms Hillevi Ekberg, UN Communication Adviser in the Resident Coordinations Office, email: hillevi.ekberg@undp.org . Tel: 03159085.