The Rwanda Red Cross has planted 6,000 trees as part of its broader initiative to plant one million trees across the country in 2025. The trees include various species, including fruit-bearing trees, aimed at improving nutrition and environmental conservation.
The announcement was made by Emmanuel Mazimpaka, the organization’s communications officer, during a visit to Nyagatare District, where he met with partners to assess the impact of the Red Cross’s interventions. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to enhancing community well-being, including helping people grow their own fruits to improve nutrition.
Climate Action and Sustainable Energy Use
To tackle climate change, the Rwanda Red Cross is educating communities on forest conservation and promoting energy-efficient cooking methods. Residents are being trained to use “rondereza” stoves, which consume less firewood and help reduce deforestation.
These initiatives have been implemented in Rwimiyaga and Karangazi sectors of Nyagatare District, where the Rwanda Red Cross has been actively working with local communities.
Water Conservation and Fish Farming
Alongside tree planting and energy conservation, the organization is also supporting water access and fish farming. Beneficiaries in Karangazi have been provided with fish ponds to boost local fish production.
A local farmer expressed gratitude, saying: “In the past, we struggled with water shortages, which led to significant losses. Now, we have a stable water supply for household use, irrigation, and other needs.”
Rodrigue Muhizi, head of the Karangazi Fishing Cooperative, which includes former Rwandan military personnel, said that working together has strengthened their economic resilience.
“We expect to produce at least 150 tons of fish every three months for supply to Nyagatare and other parts of the country. We also have ambitions to expand to international markets,” he said.
To support this initiative, cooperative members are receiving professional training in modern fish farming and will be provided with Rwf 11 million in financial aid to scale up production.
On Friday, February 21, 2025, an official agreement was signed between the cooperatives and the Rwanda Red Cross to facilitate project implementation.
Empowering Local Cooperatives
Other beneficiaries include members of the Gacundezi Cooperative in Rwimiyaga Sector, which specializes in goat farming and maize cultivation. In total, over 1,000 people have received support through various cooperatives.
Many beneficiaries emphasize the importance of savings and financial planning to ensure sustainable livelihoods. Innocent Bagambe, a member of the Abakundwa Group, shared that after receiving goats, he was able to grow his business and now owns pigs.
Expanding Community Support
The Rwanda Red Cross has provided significant aid in Nyagatare, including:
• 100 water tanks to improve water access
• 6,000 trees, primarily fruit-bearing, to enhance food security
• Support for 72 cooperatives
• 720 small livestock animals distributed to farmers
• 22 hectares of land allocated to local farmers
Mazimpaka highlighted the impact of these initiatives, noting that they have improved livelihoods across the region. He also reaffirmed the Rwanda Red Cross’s commitment to promoting modern fish farming, a relatively new practice in Nyagatare.
“Some groups are planning to set up a large fish processing facility to supply different markets. This will help generate income while also combating malnutrition,” he added.
The Rwanda Red Cross continues to collaborate with communities nationwide, implementing projects that promote livelihood development, health, and environmental sustainability.
