Within the context to increase resilience to climate change, FSDS whose environmental protection and management in and around refugee camps in direct partnership with the UNHCR and MIDIMAR since this year of 2016, has joined the rest of the world to celebrate the world Environment Day commonly marked on every 5th June of the year. The turn for 2016, the day is observed under the National theme : "Join the race to increase resilience to climate change". In close collaboration with Rwanda Government and the UNHCR, FSDS has organized a week-long of different activities aiming at environmental protection and management in all camps both for Burundian and Congolese refugees.
Mr. Patrice NSENGIYUMVA, the Country Director of FSDS RWANDA said the environmental week has been absolutely a good opportunity to carry out awareness campaign and community mobilization. “We organized this week as a vehicle to stimulates and increase awareness on environmental protection and climate change mitigation to encourage political attention for positive environmental action.” He said

He mentioned during the environmental week, the focus is kept on greening and beautification initiatives whereby the organization has provisioned the fund of seedlings of over 12 types reserved for all refugee camps through Environmental Community Based Initiatives project (ECOBI) Monitors. The seeds include cabbages, carrots, Onions, peppers, egg plants, epinards, beetroots, aubergines, been selected, amaranths, Poirreau, and maize with some other materials.

“This will in fact motivate refugees’ community to with food their respective camps and further protect environment resources of the place, but will also improve nutrition” He explained.

Addressing refugees community during the launch of the week in Bugesera transit Center, Mr. Patrice made a call on refugees to consider the fund given and make environment resources protection their own responsibility.

Mr. Patrice Nsengiyumva at Bugesera Transit Center

The World Environment Day celebration celebrated on this Friday June 3, 2016, was marked with the Clean Air Walk from Kacyiru at REMA to Remera at Motor Vehicle Inspection Center where the official ceremony took place.

Mr. Lambert RUTABOBA, FSDS Senior Program Manager with others during the Walk to advocate air quality.

During the WED celebration, Rwanda National police also joined the event showcasing the brand mobile tester of car fuels to reduce green house gas emission which is critical to Ozone layer destruction and climate change.
Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Kalinda, the Director General of Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, said the tool is among good initiatives to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and insisted this will help to ensure clean air and strategies to lower greenhouse emissions. The mobile tester showcased will soon be used by traffic police to test cars over emission standards.

Dr. Vincent Biruta, exercising mobile tester for cars gas emission standards

Dr. Vincent Biruta, the Minister of Natural Resources has said that over the last five months 42,558 vehicles tested and 3.5% -1,507 among them did not meet acceptable emissions standards. He mentioned good news is that the number of abusive old cars has been decreasing and warned over population not to buy old cars which do abuse environment and usually threat our lives with respiratory diseases. He also introduced a new center for air testing in general.

Eng. Collete RUHAMYA, acting Director of REMA

Addressing the participants, Eng. Collete RUHAMYA, acting Director of REMA said : “The main purpose of the event was to commemorate together and continue to advocate for environmental protection, believing everybody is responsible.” She appreciated the cooperation and partnership with FSDS and the police and calls for others to learn from their practices.

The State of Environment Report 2015 released on this WED celebration, also reflects the mandate of Rwanda agriculture ensuring food security and greening initiatives.
Environmental protection activities planned by FSDS in and around refugee camp for environmental week have been integrated with greening and beautification initiatives, Umuganda- community work and ECOBI sport activities dominated by football match organized in different refugee camps to stimulate public attention to environmental awareness campaigns.

ECOBI Sport activities in Mugombwa Refugee Camp

Written by FSDS-Media and Communications Officer