1. CRITICAL ISSUES FOR CHILDREN
Despite remarkable recovery since the 1994 war and genocide, Rwanda still ranks 161 in the Human Development Index with fifty-seven per cent of the people living below the poverty line. Infant mortality and under-five mortality rates are respectively 82 and 164 per 1,000 live births. In rural areas, only 8% of the population use improved sanitation facilities and 44% use improved drinking water (respectively 10% and 66% in urban areas). While school enrolment is high (96%), completion, transition to secondary school and drop-out are areas of concern, particularly for girls and vulnerable children.
On Sunday 3 February 2008, a series of earthquakes struck Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The most powerful earthquakes occurred within hours of one another with magnitudes of 6.1 and 5.0 respectively. The first quake occurred at about 09h31 AM, 20km from Bukavu and the second quake came just under three-and-a-half hours later, slightly closer Bukavu but in Rwandan territory. It was followed by tremors of magnitude 5 at 1.20 PM local time and then again at 2 AM and 5 AM on Monday, the 4th of February. The tremors were also felt in Burundi where no casualties or damages have been reported. The earthquakes affected mainly two districts, Nyamasheke and Rusizi, Western Province, which are at the border of DRC, Bukavu and along Lake Kivu.
As churches, homes and public buildings (including one hospital) collapsed, hospital staff are having trouble coping with the hundreds of injured that are pouring in. Figures provided by the Rwandan Disaster Management Task Force (DMTF) indicate that 37 people have died, 643 have been injured, including 367 who are traumatized. According to Rwandan radio, 10 people died when churches collapsed in Nkanka, Nkombo and Nyakabwene cellules of Rusizi district and a mosque in Kamembe town. The total population of Rusizi district is 352,800 and Nyamasheke has 355,072 inhabitants. The last census in Rwanda indicated that 52% of the population is below 18 years.
As many houses have been destroyed in these two districts, 1,201 families have been rendered homeless. Twenty primary schools are reported to be affected in both districts; one was destroyed and 19 have suffered structural damage. Four secondary schools have also been damaged. The Government reported that 212 classrooms need to be reconstructed and 113 have to be repaired. All affected primary and secondary schools have been closed. The hospital of Bushenge was also badly affected (approximately 80% of its structures have been affected). A UN joint assessment team, including UNICEF, was deployed on the 4th of February to assess the scope of the disaster and determine the required assistance. Initial reports identify psychological support as a priority intervention. The UNICEF assessment team reports that authorities have already indicated that Nkombo Island, located near to the epicentre in Lake Kivu is seriously affected. Water and sanitation are an immediate priority in the affected area. According to WFP, most of the area is food secure and there are no immediate nutrition needs resulting from the earthquake. The Goma Volcanic Observatory has expressed fears that there may be additional earth movements of serious magnitude.
Further information on the UNICEF emergency programme in UNICEF can be obtained from:
Joseph Foumbi
UNICEF Representative
Kigali
Tel: + 250 08302716
Fax: +250 573024
Email: jofoumbi@unicef.org
Esther Vigneau
UNICEF EMOPS
Geneva
Tel: + 41 22 909 5612
Fax: + 41 22 909 5902
E-mail: evigneau@unicef.org
Gary Stahl
UNICEF PFO
New York
Tel: + 1-212 326 7009
Fax: + 1-212 326 7165
Email : gstahl@unicef.org