The Rwanda Formed Police Unit Two (FPU-2) deployed in Kaga Bandoro commune of Nana Gribizi prefecture, under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA), on Friday, December 30, provided free medical services to internally displaced persons sheltered at Lazaret camp.
The humanitarian services also included the donation of agriculture equipment to three cooperatives formed by displaced persons.
The donated agriculture items include fertilizers, hoes, water pumps for irrigation, wheelbarrows,watering cans, spades, assorted seeds, jerrycans as well as hygiene items like soaps and buckets.
Medical services included giving deworming tablets to children, testing the elderly for diabetes and high blood pressure, among others.
“Even in this camp where life is not good, we strive to provide for ourselves. These agriculture equipment have come in handy. We thanked the Rwandan Police peacekeepers for reaching out to us to boost our agriculture and increased crop production. We are trying to break the poverty cycle,” said Brigitte Gbenou, the head of one of the cooperatives.
She thanked the Rwandan peacekeepers for the “humanity and care” beyond their mandated physical security duties, to providing means of ensuring their wellbeing.
Alvin Maussa Zavido, the chief of Kaga Bandoro commune, also thanked the Rwandan peacekeepers for being exemplary and valuing lives of those under their protection.
He lauded them for thinking about the wellbeing of the displaced persons and the existing cooperation with the local people.
Oulimata Diarra, who represented MINUSCA also commended the peacekeepers for humanitarian act to ensure the health of the people and providing them with means to ensure food security.
The Rwanda FPU-2 contingent commander, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Hodali Rwanyindo said that ensuring the socio-economic wellbeing of the people is also part of their mandate.
“Giving hope, ensuring a healthy and purposeful life for those displaced by violent conflicts, is equally our responsibility and it completes the true meaning of security,” said CSP Hodali.
He urged the cooperatives to handle the agricultural items with care, use them to increase crop production and to be food secure.(End)