The Rwandan government announced on Tuesday plans to construct 296 new homes for vulnerable survivors of the 1994 genocide. During that tragic 100-day period, extremist Hutus killed an estimated 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus, with up to 10,000 people killed daily and sexual violence systematically employed as a weapon of war.
Thousands of survivors continue to grapple with the trauma of that period. To address their ongoing needs, Kigali has allocated nearly $3.5 million for the housing project, scheduled for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.
The government is also exploring “unconventional construction methods” to reduce costs while maintaining quality, including community participation where residents contribute locally available materials and labor. Once approved, this approach will support the construction of the remaining 6,973 homes needed by survivors.
In addition to housing, beneficiaries will receive psychological and social support before and after relocation. Officials emphasized that survivors will no longer be treated as a separate category but will be integrated into Rwanda’s national housing framework alongside other vulnerable citizens.
