Rwanda Issues Food to vulnerable citizens under Coronavirus Lockdown

The Government of Rwanda on March 28, started distributing necessities, first to the most vulnerable citizens across the country, shortly after President Kagame announced the support program in a televised state of the nation address.

The food distribution comes days after Rwanda announced a two-week lockdown, on Monday, March 23, in an attempt to promote social distancing as the country and the rest of the global community fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The government’s basic essentials pack includes maize flour, beans, cooking oil, rice, salt, sugar and soap, all produced in Rwanda.

According to the government, distribution rations are given based on the number of people in a household.

The Ministry of Local Government and Social Affairs categorizes Rwanda citizens into four levels and the essentials will be given to the first and second categories.

The first level of people to benefit are 1.5 million equivalent to 16% of the total Rwanda population with no means to rent homes of their own and can hardly put food on the table while the second level made up of 3.1 million people, accounting for 29.8% of the population, who have part-time small jobs and either own cheap houses or are able to pay rent.

The third category composed of farmers, professionals, and business owners adding to 5.8 million Rwandans and the fourth category made up of the rich especially public servants from the level of Director General and over and large business owners, will not get the governments relief.

After the president’s announcement, other private companies and individuals have joined hands with the government by donating food.

“We have noted 1,000 cartons of spaghetti to the City of Kigali. We encourage everyone to follow government directives for all of us to remain safe.” Simba Supermarket in Kigali said.

Africa Improved Foods, the Manufacturer of highly nutritious cereal-based foods, has donated a truck filled with flour to support this initiative within Kigali.

“It is in times like these that we need to lend a helping hand. In partnership with Local Government Ministry, we have donated Nootri porridge flours to support those affected by the current situation caused the Covid-19 outbreak in the City of Kigali,” Africa Improved foods said.

Rwanda’s total population is 12million citizens and it has registered 54 cases as at Saturday 28, 2020.