On the 11th day of December 2018 there was launched a mobilization campaign on the “Multi-sectoral Joint Action Plan to Eradicate Extreme Poverty” countrywide. The event was officiated at Rukomo Sector, Nyagatare District by Mr. BAMPORIKI Edouard, Chairman of National Itorero Commission (NIC) on behalf of the Minister of Local Government, Prof. SHYAKA Anastase. This event coincided with the launch of “Itorero ry’Umudugudu” (cultural school).  

The intent of the campaign is to raise awareness on the revised strategies to accelerate the eradication of extreme poverty by 2024 (as suggests the 1st phase of the National Strategy for Transformation/NST1) with focus on mindset change on the part of social protection programme beneficiaries. The plan into question was set combine efforts by Government agencies, partners and stakeholders operating in social protection including local and international NGOs, CSOs to relieve Ubudehe Category One Citizens from the poorest living conditions.

In her address to Rukomo residents, Mrs. NKUNDA Laetitia, Director General of the Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), urged social protection programme beneficiaries to prove their commitment towards better living conditions: “No Rwandan trained through Itorero should be proud to remain classified in Ubudehe Category One. Any support we get from Government and its partners, be it in form of VUP, Girinka, or Ubudehe, should rather serve as foundation to get out of poverty”, she said.

As per the aforementioned plan, here are some strategic actions to fight extreme poverty:

• Converge a holistic package to support poor households to enable them get a springboard to move out of extreme poverty in a sustainable manner;
• Before getting any Government support, every household under Ubudehe Category One shall sign a contract to prove commitment and own efforts to get out of poverty;
• Conduct a quarterly survey on household living conditions;
• Government agencies mandated to fight against poverty were requested to elaborate a joint plan and budget, and harmonize their interventions so as to convey a holistic package to households living in extreme poverty;
• Local and international Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs) were requested to plan their contributions to supplement this mutli-sectoral joint plan to eradicate extreme poverty.

From now, upon reception of social protection programme support, beneficiaries shall sign a contract to prove their commitment to gradually move to upper Ubudehe categories with improved, dignified and sustainable living conditions. For a three month period, cabinet members shall carry on this campaign to sensitize all concerned parties to play their role into the poverty eradication journey.