The water supply systems in Rwanda’s main cities have been disrupted as a result of the conflict which began on the 6 April 1994. ICRC engineers were in a position to assess the conditions of the major WTP (water treatment plants) before they were hit by the front line, being deployed on both sides controlled by the two factions. Rapid assessments were carried out starting in Kigali and then moving to other cities like Ruhengeri and Gisenyi, in order to identify the main problems resulted from the outbreak of the hostilities and to trigger the appropriate requests, bearing in mind the relatively long delivery delays due to the particular location of the country. Delivery of pre-positioned treatment chemicals, specific tools, support to the personnel and transport facilities allowed the water utility ELECTROGAZ to resume gradually its role and become almost autonomous by the end of the year.

Rehabilitation of alternative water supply systems in a fast growing town: the example of Kigali where urban people and detainees share the results of an unusual partnership.

Dr. P.G. Nembrini, M.Serafino, P.Y.Monnard and R. G. Conti

Throughout the years, ICRC engineers assisted the Rwandan authorities by constructing and upgrading water supply systems and detentions facilities. Since the events of 1994 the population of the town has increased dramatically, up to more than 350’000 people. The main WTP of the town, Kimisagara, was able to produce up to 20’000 m3/day but many neighbourhoods were experiencing continuous shortages. The population of the suburbs of Remera and Gikondo were suffering from lack of water and the two new detention centres which were opened in these locations could hardly cope with the poor supply. An unusual form of partnership was implemented with the ministry responsible for the prisons and those in charge of the production and distribution of the water, with the aim to upgrade existing alternative sources of water and providing a reliable source of water to these premises but also increasing the access to water of the population surrounding the detention centre