SURF's Annual Report 2007

Shelter

20,000 households of vulnerable survivors have no accommodation or a decent place to sleep, often having to live a transitory life, moving from place to place to seek shelter. Most of these families are very poor; left to deal with the consequences of genocide, and general ill health, with no support. Many of the needy have no skills to acquire jobs. Even those in employment cannot afford to build a house because building materials are too costly or they find it increasingly difficult to buy or to rent. Without shelter, security and rehabilitation becomes impossible; this results in high anxiety and hopelessness.

SURF has provided the most vulnerable survivors with affordable housing, ensuring their personal security and creating a safe environment in which to rebuild their lives. Through its shelter programme, SURF seeks to reduce poverty, improve the overall livelihoods of the survivors, and give them hope for the future. The support offered is targeted in particular at vulnerable.orphans, widows and widowers now living in destitute conditions. SURF has been especially successful working with local partner organisations, which apply for land on behalf of survivors and find resources to support shelter programs. IBUKA has been at the forefront of advocating on issues affecting survivors and representing them on a daily basis.

A decent two bedroom unit costs £2,500 to build. There is a need to find financial help to build at least another 20,000 homes for survivors. The building of low-cost homes is more than just about improving the condition of shelter for the survivors - it has also become a catalyst for the further development of communities by helping survivors create local jobs, and by lobbying the government to provide materials and infrastructure that benefit everyone. Progress has been slow but steady with many communities forming support groups and directly lobbying for help from the local authorities, the church or other institutions. A classic example is the Kinyinya village where the community signed a petition and asked the government to provide water for the village – this is now in progress – or Niboyi children's village where children collected signatures and presented them to Electro Gas – electricity and water has now been installed after three years of life in darkness.