On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Right Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, along with the First and Second Deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament and senior staff of the National Assembly, visited Gatumba zone in Mutimbuzi commune, Bujumbura province, affected by floods due to rising waters of Tanganyika Lake and Rusizi River.
On behalf of the National Assembly, they assisted the most affected households, 1463 families, with food and non-food items. The aid included 23 tons of corn, 1.5 tons of flour for porridge, 15 tons of beans, 6,000 pieces of soap and 915 pieces of clothing.
The Governor of Bujumbura province Désiré Nsengiyumva welcomed this gesture of charity from the Lower House of Parliament and proposed the relocation of the inhabitants near Tanganyika Lake and Rusizi River to other safer places until that area is out of danger.
The Right Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe, first addressed a message of support, solidarity and comfort to the victims of Gatumba floods. He asked them to accept the natural disaster that struck them and to accept the will of God. He called on them to pray to the Lord because he is the master of times.
Regarding the decision of the Government to relocate this population to other safer places, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Right Honorable Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe asked them to respect and follow the instructions which will be given for their good, especially since other floods may occur, given the location of that area.
The Right Honorable Gelase Daniel Ndabirabe then launched an appeal to Burundian population, which has always been characterized by a spirit of solidarity, to collect aid to assist their compatriots of Gatumba affected by floods. Note that before distributing the assistance, the Right Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, the First and Second Deputy Speaker and the MPs first visited the Mushasha II neighborhood in Kinyinya to see the extent of the damage.