6th April 2020
Dear Friends of Rwanda Aid
Given the uncertainty of the current COVID-19 outbreak, Rwanda Aid is taking decisions which prioritise the safety of our stakeholders.
The Rwandan government brought in very tight restrictions on movement on 14th March 2020, which we are following carefully in order to protect our Rwandan staff and beneficiaries during these uncertain times. Rwanda Aid has postponed all training events, meetings and visitors to our sites and staff are all staying in their homes.
All schools and centres were closed but we are still caring for seven children (orphans) at The Alivera Centre and 27 street children at Baho Neza Mwana. Both centres are well staffed, isolated and have plentiful supplies of food.
Food supplies are a problem for many poor people in Cyangugu and the government’s plans to distribute supplies to needy families are likely to take some time to reach this remote area. As an emergency measure, today we have distributed three tons of maize flour to 300 vulnerable families living on Nkombo Island where we know that hunger is already a real problem.
We will continue to make decisions on an ongoing basis, taking account of the local context and in line with guidance from the British and Rwandan governments and our local partners.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me: janyis.watson@rwanda-aid.org.
On behalf of Rwanda Aid’s Board of Trustees, David Chaplin, CEO, and our team in Rwanda, thank you so much for your support and your continued interest in our work.
Very best wishes
Janyis Watson, Operations Director