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GSF Launches COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign for Genocide Survivors

Posted: April 24, 2020
Written by: Genocide Survivors Foundation

Together with a number of our partners throughout the world, Genocide Survivors Foundation has launched a COVID-19 emergency relief campaign for survivors. Organized in partnership with IBUKA Rwanda, IBUKA Europe, IBUKA-Actions Urugemwe, Ishami Foundation (UK), and Urukundo Association (Norway), this 100-day fundraising drive is entitled Survivors in Solidarity. This campaign will support vulnerable genocide survivors in Rwanda who are experiencing extreme hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hardships of Commemorating Alone

On April 7th, Rwanda began the annual 100-days commemorative period for the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda – a genocide in which over million people were murdered in just 100 days.

The commemorative period is generally a difficult period for genocide survivors as it is the time when they publicly remember their murdered loved ones. They are often haunted by the horrors they witnessed during the genocide. Unfortunately, this year is even more difficult as survivors are for the first time forced to remember their loved ones in isolation as a result of stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Economic Challenges Due to the Coronavirus Lock-Down

Like many other countries, Rwanda is under a lock-down and many people, including survivors, are unable to work. As a result, some genocide survivors are also facing extreme economic hardships – on top of the existing physical and emotional wounds they suffered during the genocide. The anguish of having to commemorate in isolation this year is compounding these challenges.

The Survivors in Solidarity COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign aims to raise funds to pay for food and other basic necessities for vulnerable survivors during this very difficult time. Your support and solidarity with survivors is very much appreciated.

Any Donation Will Make a Real Difference

While Rwanda has made significant economic progress since the harrowing days of 1994, many survivors still face significant financial challenges. Given the relatively low cost of living in Rwanda (as compared, e.g., to the cost of living in the USA), a donation of $25.00 will cover living expenses for a family of three for an entire month. Below we listed the cost of basic food items in local Rwandan prices, with all prices listed in USD.

2 kg sugar – $2.00
7 kg rice – $7.00
5 kg beans – $4.00
9 kg maize flour – $5.00
2 liters cooking oil – $3.50
2 bars of body/hand soap – $1.00
Additional necessities – $2.50

Learn more about this campaign and how the funds will reach beneficiaries by downloading the campaign concept note below:

Download the concept note about the Survivors in Solidarity campaign (PDF: 394 KB)

Help Us Reach Our Goal

As we continue our efforts to raise money for especially vulnerable survivors in Rwanda, we are taking a moment to thank the generous folks who have supported our Survivors in Solidarity campaign so far. With your kindness, we have raised more than $7,000. What an amazing gift you have shared with survivors in Rwanda who are struggling to make ends meet due to the coronavirus pandemic.

GSF raised more than $7000 to support emergency COVID-19 relief for survivors in Rwanda

Your generosity in this time of severe need gives us the confidence to ask again for your help. Gifts of all sizes will help us reach our goal of $10,000 – a goal that will enable our partners in Rwanda to deliver immediate relief to those survivors most in need.

We invite you to give what you can. We know it’s a difficult time for everyone, so whatever you can share is deeply appreciated.

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Category: News