Rwanda: Japan remains committal to Rwanda’s developmental programs

The Japanese commits US$ 1.5 m to the program of two- day training of trainers from local vocational centers, launched on 22 August, 2012 in a bid to improve the community livelihood of the repatriating refugees.

 Present at the occasion Ministry of Refugee Affairs and Disaster Management (Midimar) joined by the Japanese ambassador to Rwanda Kunio Hatanaka,

 Aimed at empowering Rwandans repatriating from different countries and vulnerable groups in seven districts from North and East, the third phase that will see a support of Japanese government with US$ 1.5 million is following the same roadmap.

“The training is a kind of catch-up, to give a chance to any Rwandese who has been in the refugee struggle for 18 years to reach the level a common Rwandan has already attained,” said Antoine Ruvebana, the Permanent Secretary in Midimar.

 “Our country men repatriating joining a community with outstanding speed of development. They also need empowerment for them to move on the same pace with Rwanda’s development,” Antoine

said.

 “Thus, we need to have people who would help them catch up and attain the level of common Rwandans in such a short time; 5 months, although they marked more than a decade of loss in refugee camps”, added Ruvebana.

 The training targeted 143 trainers from training centers of carpentry, masonry, tailoring, mechanics, hairdressing and other vocational skills with goal of developing their skills.

 At the same event, Japanese ambassador assured Rwanda of his country’s commitment help to help sustain local development in key areas including: creating employments of refugees and vulnerable groups in the country.

 The third phase of this support will see more than 3,000 Rwandans repatriated and members of vulnerable groups as direct beneficiaries.

 The current phase will cover seven districts: Bugesera, Rwamagana and Ngoma of East and Burera, Musanze, Rulindo and Gicumbi in the Northern Province.

 36% will benefit for skills that will be delivered by trainers in trainings today, 41% of the total number will benefit by livestock development, while 23% will get their housing facilities improved.

 So far, the project in all its phases has been implemented by Midmar in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since it started in 2010 and has assisted 22,000 individuals in 22 districts countrywide.

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