The Rwanda Red Cross has announced new efforts to support the government in tackling the effects of climate change, aligning its humanitarian work with environmental protection.
The announcement was made during celebrations of World First Aid Day, marked globally every second Saturday of September.
Emmanuel Mazimpaka, the Red Cross Rwanda Communications and Partnerships Officer, told Taarifa Rwanda that the organization is contributing by planting trees across the country.
These include soil-conserving trees, fruit-bearing trees, and ornamental species to improve green cover.
“The theme this year is first aid and protecting the environment, which directly connects to climate change impacts. These include desertification, landslides, and droughts, all of which force us as the Red Cross to intervene and assist people — and that comes at a cost,” Mazimpaka said.
In the past year alone, the Red Cross has planted more than 300,000 trees, with a target of one million trees annually. Beyond reducing disaster risks, Mazimpaka noted that tree planting also improves air quality and combats soil erosion.
But the Red Cross Rwanda is going beyond tree planting. To reduce reliance on international aid, the organization has started investing in income-generating projects. One such investment is a hotel in Karongi District’s Bwishyura Sector, with 28 rooms, built at a cost of Frw 800 million. Profits from such ventures support communities during disasters, including providing roofing materials for families whose homes are damaged by storms and livestock for vulnerable households.
At its Kigali headquarters in Kacyiru, the Red Cross has also developed commercial spaces, including pharmacies, restaurants, and 200 guest rooms to generate revenue for humanitarian work.
For the Red Cross, however, humanitarianism remains at the heart of its mission.
Alexia Rubuga, who heads the youth wing, emphasized that World First Aid Day is a reminder to young people to embody compassion and care for the vulnerable. “Our common spirit is love, which pushes us to help those who are suffering, without any form of discrimination,” she said.
The Rwanda Red Cross was established in 1963 and has since been a key partner of the government in responding to disasters and improving community resilience.
