Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced a social protection plan over the weekend that will support vulnerable families who have been affected by the lockdown aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19. 

Acknowledging that people’s livelihoods have been affected by the lockdown, Kagame stated that “relevant institutions are working on a social protection plan, to support the most vulnerable in our community.” The President added “ we are also working in collaboration with our partners in the region and internationally to manage this pandemic,” in a televised address to the nation last Friday. 

President Kagame reiterated that his government knows “this is not an easy period for most Rwandans, whose livelihoods have been interrupted across the country. But we ask you to be patient. Although we are making good progress, we cannot afford to relax yet.” Kagame went on to reveal that the social protection plan includes delivery of free food to at least 20,000 households in the capital Kigali. The door-to-door delivery is meant to mitigate the impact of a lockdown implemented on March 21, 2020, by the East African government. 

The initiative kicked-off over the weekend in some parts of the three districts of Kigali and some other cities across the country, according to the Ministry of Local Administration. Rwandan officials also explained that the cities were prioritized because they have been the most affected by the lockdown.

Similarly, authorities in Rwanda disclosed that the food relief was drawn from the country’s National Strategic Grain Reserve under the ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. Both bodies are used in the case of an emergency food shortage. In addition to this, many citizens nationwide have also willingly made their contributions to help vulnerable countrymen and women by donating food supplies. 

According to the Local Government Ministry, the beneficiaries were identified with the help of local authorities because they are the ones who know the destitute living in their respective location. With these support plans in place, the Rwandan government will be able to tackle food insecurity and unavailability during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Health disclosed that ten additional cases of Coronavirus had been reported in Rwanda, raising the national tally to 70 as of Sunday, March 29. Just two weeks ago the East African country reported its first case of coronavirus, the Health Ministry, therefore, maintained that “heightened vigilance continues to be required,” in curbing the spread of the virus. 

“Enhanced prevention measures announced by the government of Rwanda must be rigorously observed; non-essential businesses are closed, travel between cities and districts is suspended and non-essential movement outside of the home are not permitted,” said the Health Ministry in a statement.

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