The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Rwanda Housing Authority and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has inaugurated the Rukumberi Green Village in Ngoma District.

Rukumberi Village was constructed in 2014 to relocate 57 households from high risk zones around the sector. The main objective was to resettle households as a way to improve access to basic services including electricity, water, schooling, healthcare, waste collection and more.

Rukumberi Village was later selected to be improved with the green village components through the Green Economy Programme under the Ministry of Environment, and supported by UNDP.

In his remarks, UN Resident Coordinator, Fodé Ndiaye, applauded the official handover of the green village to local officials and praised the Ministry of Environment and the Rwanda Housing Authority for their efforts. He indicated that the support towards the village and other green initiatives across the country continues.

The One UN RC, Mr. Fodé Ndiaye delivering his welcome remarks

“I want to thank you all so much for your warm welcome. Thank you to everyone who was here today, and thank you for the good work you are doing in this place. There is no development without you all,” said UN Resident Coordinator, Fodé Ndiaye.

The green village components implemented in Rukumberi Village include biogas, rainwater tanks and biodegradable waste collection center. These elements aim to address environmental challenges and improve the wellbeing and livelihood of the community.

A resident of Rukumberi Green Village took the stage and shared with guests how her life has been transformed by the settlement. In her testimony, she emphasized the roll biogas cooking plays in her daily life.

"Thanks to the biogas cooking system, I can prepare my meal quickly and my house is free from smoke. I can't even begin to compare this to how I was living before. I'm so grateful!" she said.

This approach of resettling households in Green Villages is part of a national effort to move households to safer locations that are more resilience to the impacts of climate change. The green village component implemented in Rukumberi Green Village include:

• Construction of a common cowshed with 50 paddocks
• Provision of 46 hybrid cows to Rukumberi village communities
• Construction of 40 biogas digesters
• Provision of water harvesting tanks to all 57 households
• Installation of four water taps for the community safe water usage
• Provision of improved cook stoves for all 57 households
• Construction of biodegradable waste collection center
• Support to off-farm activities for women cooperatives in tailoring for 30 members

Minister of Environment, Vincent Biruta, urged communities to continue to manage the facilities in the new homes and leverage the resources for development.

Hon. Minister Vincent Biruta, minister of Environment delivering his remarks during the launch of Rukumberi Green VIllage.

“These development activities are commendable. Without a doubt, you will be able to create more jobs that supplement farming. I encourage you all to take good care of the equipment in your houses and take up every opportunity at hand to improve your lives,” Minister Biruta said.

The Government of Rwanda aims to have 70% of rural households living in integrated planned settlements by 2020. So far, UNDP has supported the government of Rwanda to build integrated 5 planned settlements also known as Green Villages. These were build as a role model and now the government of Rwanda has started replicating the initiative in all 30 districts across the country.