Eastern Province: Over 240,000 Households Supported to Overcome Poverty
The Eastern Province authorities have announced that 242,046 residents recently identified as living in poverty are beginning to receive support to lift themselves out of poverty by connecting them to available opportunities in the province.
The Seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), conducted over 12 months in 2024, revealed that poverty in the Eastern Province has declined from 39.1% to 26.8%. The survey also identified 242,046 people who are still considered poor.
Among these residents, 71,768 were classified as extremely poor and have started receiving support to access opportunities over a two-year period.
The opportunities provided include employment through the Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP), vocational training, livestock distribution under the Girinka program, housing construction, grants for small businesses, provision of small livestock, and more.
Currently, 70,048 beneficiaries—representing 97.6% of those targeted—have successfully lifted themselves out of poverty, prompting authorities to consider supporting another group.
Eastern Province Governor Pudence Rubingisa emphasized that while the government provides support, the active participation of residents is crucial in overcoming poverty.
He said, “What we ask from citizens in these good government programs is their commitment and understanding that they must take ownership. This program is about helping them lift themselves out of poverty, not about the government lifting them out. They must understand it and make it their own.”
Governor Rubingisa added that the authorities now know the poverty level of every household, allowing personalized guidance to ensure that within the two-year period, each household lifts itself out of poverty without waiting for government handouts.
He also reminded some residents in poverty that government support is not permanent, and everyone should strive for self-reliance to achieve a better standard of living.
At the end of June, the Rwanda Local Development Agency (LODA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, began reviewing and verifying whether the households previously connected to opportunities were indeed able to benefit from them. The results of this assessment will determine who continues to receive support.
