IGIHE

Author: Théophile Niyitegeka

  • UNHCR airlifts aid to newly-arrived refugees from the DRC

    {A plane carrying UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, core relief items arrived in Luanda, Angola, to assist over 11,000 people who fled a recent surge violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).}

    The aircraft, supported by UPS, landed Sunday morning from Dubai, carrying 3,500 plastic sheets as well as 100 plastic rolls to provide shelter during the rainy season, 17,000 sleeping mats, 16,902 thermal fleece blankets, 8,000 mosquito nets, 3,640 kitchen sets, 8,000 jerry cans and 4,000 plastic buckets. UNHCR will be airlifting more relief items to Angola in coming days.

    The brutal conflict in DRC’s previously peaceful Kasai region has already displaced more than one million civilians within the country since it began in mid-2016.

    Humanitarian assistance to the most recent arrivals will be distributed in Dundo area where refugees have been accommodated in makeshift reception centres since early April. Refugees, including some 4,000 children, are arriving exhausted, many with visible signs of violence, and bringing very little resources with them. Conditions in over-crowded centres are extremely poor.

    “Arrivals are in urgent need of life-saving assistance including food, water, shelter and medical services” says Ms. Sharon Cooper, UNHCR Regional Representative for Southern Africa. “UNHCR is also procuring food locally to support the most vulnerable persons including children, pregnant women and elderly.”

    A UNHCR emergency team is present both in Luanda and Dundo to respond to the needs of the refugees as well as to coordinate the relief response with the Government, local authorities and partners on the ground.

    The government is planning to allocate a new site in Nzaji, Camulo municipality some 90 kilometers from the border. The site was previously used to host internally displaced persons during the civil war in Angola. Preparations are underway to assess the site with a view to eventually provide shelter as well as to set up latrines, showers and water points to relocate the asylum-seekers.

    The border is managed by the Angolan Army. The UN Refugee Agency has requested the Government to allow refugees to continue crossing the border, provide unhindered access to UNHCR to assist new arrivals, as well as not to return people fleeing the violence to the DRC.

    Angola is currently hosting some 56,700 refugees and asylum-seekers, of whom close to 25,000 are from the DRC.

    UNHCR Angola had an initial annual budget of USD 2.5 million to protect and assist some 46,000 people of concern. In response to the current emergency, UNHCR is appealing for a total of USD 5.5 million to provide immediate lifesaving assistance.
    UPS is one of UNHCR’s key global emergency partners. Every year, the UPS Foundation contributes logistical expertise, funds and services to support and enhance our emergency response to provide life-saving aid to families forced to flee.

    UNHCR staff at Mussungue reception centre, north-west Angola, distribute food supplies including maize, rice, beans, oil, salt and sardines to Congolese refugees who fled an eruption of violence in Kasai region.

    Source:UNHCR

  • Rwandan police peacekeepers in Darfur light women centre in IDP camp

    {Rwandan police peacekeepers serving as Individual Police Officers (IPOs) under the African Union-United Nations hybrid Operations in Darfur (UNAMID) donated solar home systems to light business centre for women in Abushouk internally displaced camp.}

    The women centre helps women to make ends meet through various income generating activities like sewing, and acts as a training ground where women are given varied skills in tailoring and art-craft.

    In an event held last week, the Rwandan peacekeepers also donated air-fan machines to the women centre as well as six bundles of clothes and mats to the Kindergarten school in the same camp.

    The donation is a financial contribution of each of the 54 Rwandan IPOs, who act as Police advisors and mentors in UNAMID.

    The handover was presided over by the Police Commander of Sector North, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Abdullahel Baki, head of Reform and Restructuring, Lokesh Singh, the acting Rwanda police contingent commander, Senior Supt. Bernard Mukama, Rwandan peacekeepers as well as community and women leaders in the camp, among others.

    Speaking at the event, Brig Gen. Baki, while thanking the Rwandan peacekeepers for the humanitarian assistance, said: “The power problem at this center has been a request for a long time; we thank God for answering these women prayer through the Rwanda Police contingent.”

    He highlighted on the good relationship between the Abushouk community and the Police as part of an achievement.

    “Our aim is to help the IDPs, give them hope and develop their capacity. The operation of the center will open many doors for training and livelihood activities…even after UNAMID leaves,” he said.

    The solar powered women business block.

    Nafisa Mohammed Ismael, the Women leader in the camp, also thanked the Rwandan peacekeepers for “supporting and giving women hope to strive on.”

    The electric sewing machines were operating manually due to lack of power coupled with a very hot environment, which was making it almost impossible for the women to operate their income generating activities.

    “These women will now be able to gain more skills through training, able to make and sell clothes, and get some small income for their living,”

    Senior Supt. Mukama said that it is in the values of Rwandans to look at the bigger picture of human security, not only at home but also in peacekeeping missions.

    The donation comes at a time when Rwanda National Police (RNP) is marking its 17th anniversary, which starts on May 15, with the one month activities under the context of ‘Police Week’ including giving home solar systems to 3000 households – 100 in each of the 30 districts – and 30 health centres.

    It also follows a similar humanitarian assistance a fortnight ago by Rwandan IPOs serving in Central African Republic, who donated an assortment of dormitory items and food stuff including mattresses, bedsheets, bedcovers and mosquito nets, shoes, basins and towels to orphans of the 2013 crisis.

    Source:Police

  • 7 tips to solve those money problems affecting your marriage

    {Money is an important factor in marriages, and when couples start to have those money problems, it can transfer to other parts of the marriage, including the love, happiness and satisfaction that once existed.}

    I’ve written on some of those money problems that could ruin your marriage, and this article will teach you how to avoid them.

    {{1. Be on the same page }}

    Being on the same page with your partner is the first step to solving your money problems. When you both have the same vision and similar future plans, it’ll become easier to bring this understanding in solving your money differences.

    {{2. Identify the spender and saver }}

    One major reason why many couples have conflict when it comes to money matters is their different money habits. If one partner is a spender and the other is a saver, the marriage will suffer from it. Identifying the spender and saver is the first step to solving this problem.

    {{3. Let there be a meeting point }}

    Both partners should be willing to cut short on their habit, and the issue of being a spender and a saver will be far forgotten.

    {{4. Live within your means }}

    Another reason many couples are finding it difficult in finance that’s eating up their marriage is that they don’t live within their means. You set yourself into many problems when you live above your means, and this will definitely affect your marriage.

    {{5. Discuss your demons }}

    What money habit do you have that’s eating up your finances? It could be debt, love for luxury, spending without planning etc. You know where you are wrong financially, so be open about it with your partner or your marriage might just suffer for it.

    {{6. Understand each other }}

    Another major reason why couples argue and fight over money matter is because they don’t understand each other; they only understand what they want individually but not together.

    Listen to your partner and try to understand where your partner is driving at, and then plan together.

    {{7. Learn the basics of fiance }}

    More importantly, learn the basics of financial principles and do things together. Plan together, have a budget, make provision for savings, and set your goals together.

    If you are on different page in the money department, then even the love department will tend to suffer as well.

    Source:Elcrema

  • Bonobos may be better representation of last common ancestor with humans than chimps

    {Study examined muscles of bonobos and found they are more closely related to humans than common chimpanzees}

    A new study examining the muscular system of bonobos provides firsthand evidence that the rare great ape species may be more closely linked, anatomically, to human ancestors than common chimpanzees. Previous research suggested this theory at the molecular level, but this is the first study to compare in detail the anatomy of the three species.

    “Bonobo muscles have changed least, which means they are the closest we can get to having a ‘living’ ancestor,” said Bernard Wood, professor of human origins at the GW Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology.

    Scientists believe that modern human and common chimpanzee/bonobo lineages split about 8 million years ago with the two great ape species splitting about 2 million years ago. As common chimpanzees and bonobos evolved after their split, they developed different traits and physical characteristics, even though they remained geographically relatively close, with their main division being the Congo River. Because of this, researchers have been curious as to what those differences are and how they compare to humans. By studying the muscles of bonobos (which indicates how they physically function), the team was able to discover that they are more closely related to human anatomy than common chimpanzees, in the sense that their muscles have changed less than they have in common chimpanzees.

    Earlier studies examined the DNA similarities and differences between bonobos and common chimpanzees, but this was the first study to compare the muscles of the three species.

    “In addition, our study has shown that there is a mosaic evolution of the three species, in the sense that some features are shared by humans and bonobos, others by humans and common chimpanzees, and still others by the two ape species,” said Rui Diogo, lead author of the paper and associate professor of anatomy at Howard University. “Such a mosaic anatomical evolution may well be related to the somewhat similar molecular mosaic evolution between the three species revealed by previous genetic studies: each of the chimpanzees species share about 3 percent of genetic traits with humans that are not present in the other chimpanzee species.”

    The researchers led a team that examined seven bonobos from the Antwerp Zoo that had died and were being preserved. Researchers said this was an extremely rare opportunity given bonobos’ status as an endangered species.

    The scientists note that having a clear understanding of what makes humans different from our closest living relatives might lead to new breakthroughs or understandings of human health.

    A new study examining the muscular system of bonobos provides firsthand evidence that the rare great ape species may be more closely linked to human ancestors than common chimpanzees.

    Source:Science Daily

  • 5 things that happen to your husband when you disrespect him

    {Respect is an important part of marriage that should never be taken for granted. When disrespect enters into your marriage, your marriage will definitely suffer for it.}

    A husband ought to respect his wife, just the same way a wife should respect her husband.

    These things happen to the husband when he’s disrespected.

    {{1. His ego is dented }}

    A man’s ego is boosted when he’s respected, and his ego is also dented when he’s disrespected. When you disrespect your husband, you do more than that to him – you hurt his ego and self-esteem as well.

    {{2. Anger might start to rise within him }}

    A wife who disrespects her husband is unknowingly planting seeds of anger and bitterness in his heart. A man might be able to handle some things, but disrespect is hardly one of them.

    {{3. You start to lose him gradually }}

    Your relationship with your husband will start to go down when you are disrespectful to him. You’ll begin to lose him when you disrespect him, and you might just drive him into the arms of another woman or probably far away from you.

    {{4. Some might go to the extreme to get their respect }}

    Some men can’t handle disrespect and men like these who feel disrespected by their wives might go on to vent their fury on their wives just to get back his respect.

    {{5. He starts to feel you don’t love and value him }}

    Love and respect to a man means the same thing, and when respect is missing from the equation, he might see it as a lack of love. So when you disrespect your husband, to him you’re telling him that you don’t love and value him.

    Disrespecting your husband might be the worst thing you can do to your marriage.

    Source:Elcrema

  • Scientists formulate an equation for the perfect sperm…this is why this discovery is important

    {A team of scientists from the Birmingham University in England have formulated an equation for the perfect sperm according to Daily Mail.
    }

    According to the scientists, the equation hold the key to fertility for couples hoping to conceive.

    The equation describes how efficient a sperm is when moving towards the egg, taking into account factors such as the length of its tail and the rate at which it oscillates.

    The researchers also revealed the equation will help them create a mobile phone app that rates a man’s fertility in seconds, by analysing magnified images of sperm samples.

    “This has the potential to transform fertility treatment,” Project leader Dr Dave Smith said as quoted on Daily Mail.

    Problems with the sperm is said to be a factor in half of infertility cases. Gauging the quality of a man’s sperm is reportedly challenging but the researchers believe with the equation, the accuracy of identifying the best individual candidate to inject into a woman’s egg can be drastically improved.

    Dr Smith also revealed sperm don’t swim in straight lines.

    “They basically have to swim through mucus and to do that they snake through it in an S-shape and the equation above describes how efficiently they do that.”

    Source:Elcrema

  • Ruhango: Police reunites 20 families wrecked with wrangles

    {Police in Ruhango District have reconciled and reunited 20 families that had been marred with domestic disputes.}

    The families that were reconciled were known in their neighborhood as violent couples.

    The event presided over by the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) Inspector of Police (IP) Angelique Abijuru along with Therese Uwitonze from Mental Health Dignity Foundation.

    Th conflict-ridden couples and families were tutored on the dangers and risks of domestic misunderstanding.

    IP Abijuru emphasized the need for harmony and togetherness between couples, families and neighboring homes as partly a crime prevention strategy to promote safety, security and development.

    She further called for strong cooperation with police through timely information sharing on families experiencing domestic wrangles to help address their differences before they turn violent.

    “The consequences of domestic violence or conflicts are severe, if they are not addressed the affected sometimes end up taking matters in their own hands, which is a crime itself, and in the worst scenario leads to murder,” IP Abijuru said.

    She hastened to add that: “Police, local leaders and other legal services including mediators are there for you, use them in case you can’t resolve your internal issues amicably.”

    The DCLO also urged them to actively take part in community policing activities to fight crimes like trafficking, making and consumption of illicit drugs and narcotics.

    During the meeting each family talked in details about issues that had torn their families apart and were asked to propose how best they can overcome the wrangles.

    It was observed that most of the wrangles are centered on property ownership, mistrust, misuse of finances and drunkardness.

    Each family’s case was handled separately and members agreed to reunite while police pledged to follow up on each of those families to ensure that they live in harmony.

    Source:Police

  • Kayonza: Police tip local leaders on responding to GBV, child abuse

    {Police in Kayonza District is training local leaders from different clusters on causes and prevention of Gender Based Violence and Child Abuse.}

    Among those pursuing the training include Sector Executive Secretaries, representatives of women and people with disabilities, and District Administrative Security Support Organ (DASSO) Personnel among others.

    The training is organised and facilitated by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with Pro-Femme Twese Hamwe.

    While speaking to trainees recently, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Leonille Mujawamariya, the District Community Liaison Officer, said: “GBV is observed at the community level and different initiatives were set up at the lowest levels to combat it; in Police, we have a special desk handling GBV cases and hotlines (3512 and 3097), and 116 for child abuse so that anyone can report such cases.”

    “On the community level, she said, there are the anti-GBV committees, clubs, and the National Women Council (NWC). This set up helps to have a common understanding in addressing GBV and child abuse issues.”

    She reminded trainees that GBV or child abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or economic abuse which is directed against a person on the basis of gender, vulnerability and has its roots in gender inequality.

    “It is, therefore, important to integrate a gender perspective into efforts to effectively prevent and respond to GBV. This means looking at what causes gender-based violence and analyzing the effects of gender discrimination.”

    Sexual abuse and exploitation, she noted is one form of gender-based violence.

    “The impact of GBV is far-reaching both for the victim, and for society at large” AIP Mujawamariya told trainees.

    Among the potential causes of GBV include gender Inequality, power imbalances between men and women, disrespect and lack of respect towards the other partner, behavioral disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, property wrangles and ignorance, among others

    “Some of the consequences to the victim of GBV include injuries that could lead to disabilities or deaths; depression leading to chronic physical complaints and illnesses, high economic expenses for medical care for Victims, and affects the availability of human resources as victims cannot take part in developmental activities,” she said.

    Frere Wellars from Pro-Femme Twese Hamwe, thanked RNP for its continued fight against GBV and urged trainees to share the acquired knowledge with their colleagues.

    Source:Police

  • Police bust racket in murder of Iribagiza, gatekeeper

    {Rwanda National Police (RNP) has busted a racket in the recent murder of the businesswoman – Christine Iribagiza – in Kicukiro and a gatekeeper in Gacuriro of Gasabo District, arresting four prime suspects including a woman. }

    Iribagiza was found strangled in her house in Gaseke, Niboye Sector in Kicukiro District on the morning of April 13, while the gateman identified as Fabrice Mazimpaka was killed in the same manner on the morning of April 24.

    The suspects, who were paraded during a press briefing, yesterday, are identified as Bertin Majyambere, 48, Hassan Sumayire Hatungineza alias Fils and his wife Grace Dushimimana, and a motorcyclist called Benjamin Ingabire.

    RNP spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege said that the quartet in the two murders was arrested separately in Kigali.

    ACP Badege said that “investigations into the murders were conducted day and night and conclusive findings indicate that the two separate inhuman acts were coordinated by both Majyambere and Sumayire.”

    Thorough investigations indicate that while Sumayire, a former employee of Iribagiza, was serving his two-year sentence in Kimironko prison for theft, he sold the idea to Majyambere to steal from his former employer (Iribagiza).

    Majyambere had been convicted of killing his young brother and handed a ten-year sentence, which he completed on April 9, three days before he again allegedly committed a similar crime.

    On the fateful day, together with Dushimimana, at about 8am, they forcefully entered into the gate of Iribagiza, handcuffed her gatekeeper identified as Mpayimana Fidele, whom they left for the dead, and proceeded to the house and into the bedroom where they found the deceased, strangled her, stole her jewelry and Rwf80, 000.

    In a similar incident in Gacuriro, both Majyambere and Sumayire, in an attempted to access an apartment in Ururembo Village in Kinyinya Sector, they strangled the gatekeeper and stole three flat screens and decoders.

    Meanwhile, the motorcyclist – Benjamin Ingabire – who also admitted that he was transporting Majyambere since his release from prison on April 9, after completing his sentence, is said to be the brain behind the Gacuriro theft after selling the idea to Majyambere that there were electronics in the apartment.

    The television sets and decoders were also recovered.

    {{What suspects say}}

    Meanwhile, Majyambere confirmed police investigation reports, when asked by journalists.

    “Previously, I had an understanding with Iribagiza’s gatekeeper (Mpayimana Fidele) to steal her benz car. When we reached there he became stubborn like her boss. I told her boss to give me US$25, 000 which I was told she had in the house and she refused; so strangled her with a bedsheet with the help of Sumayire, who held her legs,” Majyambere said.

    While expressing his regret for not killing Mpayimana Fidele, whom he left unconscious thinking that he was dead, Majyambere said: “my intention was to kill like one thousand people.”

    In narrating how they also killed a gatekeeper in Gacuriro, he said “he became stubborn.”

    ACP Badege commended the role the general public play in facilitating successful investigations.

    “In almost all investigations, there is involvement of the people. Similarly, in these two murder cases, the people were the first to report the cases, and we tailored different information from various people, which led investigators to these prime suspects, and even to recover some of what was stolen,” ACP Badege said.

    He said that the suspects are facing three criminal charges; forming a criminal gang, which attracts a sentence of between five and seven years under articles 681 and 682 of the penal code; theft with violence under article 302; and murder, which is a life sentence under article 140.

    Murder suspects at Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru yesterday.

    Source:Police

  • Sri Lanka feels the heat

    {Pre-monsoon heat extends right across South Asia.}

    Over the past few weeks, temperatures across South Asia have steadily built up ahead of the summer rains.

    There has been much talk of the severe heat and, at times, drought conditions that have accompanied this pre-monsoon heat across India and Pakistan.

    Sri Lanka has suffered alongside them as the sweltering conditions have intensified.

    Temperatures in Colombo, the nation’s capital, have been running just above the April average of 31 degrees Celsius. However, the humid onshore winds have made it feel more like 36C.

    Despite the high temperatures, this remains a part of the world where many people do not have air conditioning in their homes.

    The young and the elderly are most vulnerable and warnings have been issued across the country.

    The heat has even been felt up on the higher ground. Nuwara Eliya is a city in the tea country hills of central Sri Lanka, it is known as little England because climate in the city is similar to that in parts of Europe.

    Nuwara Eliya normally has an April temperature of around 10 to 15C. The mercury reached 24C on Wednesday. Recent days have seen highs nearer 22C.

    The heat will only really be broken with the onset of the southwest monsoon and the summer rains.

    That remains another month away. In the meantime much of south Asia will feel the heat and increasing humidity for some time to come.

    Temperatures across Sri Lanka have been running around 5 tosr 10 degrees Celsius above average

    Source:Al Jazeera