USAID Honors Employees Who Perished In The Rwandan Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
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2004-019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2004
Contact: USAID Press Office
KIGALI, RWANDA -- Frederick W. Schieck, Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), joined USAID employees, Rwandan and American family members at a memorial service to honor USAID and U.S. Embassy personnel who perished during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, today in Kigali.
In remarks to more than 100 attendees, Schieck emphasized the critical role of foreign service nationals (FSNs). "The goals of USAID in Rwanda and around the world simply could not be achieved without the dedication, perseverance and integrity demonstrated by our locally employed staff. It is thanks to our local colleagues that USAID has been able to work productively with the Rwandan government and local non-governmental officials to implement development programs that improve the quality of life for all Rwandan citizens," said Mr. Schieck.
A total of 15 USAID and 13 U.S. embassy employees perished during the genocide. The U.S. Mission Employees Association, led by its president, USAID employee Pierre Munyura, hosts a memorial service for the families of survivors every year. According to Munyura "The memorial service is important because we lost our colleagues. We like to honor them to show their families that we are still thinking of them. Although they are not working with us, they are present. We can not forget them."
Rwanda's week of remembrance began on Sunday April 4th with an international conference on genocide. The U.S. delegation, led by Pierre-Richard Prosper, Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes, includes USAID Deputy Administrator Frederick W. Schieck. They will join international heads of state, special guests and hundreds of families who will gather to lay to rest loved ones who were victims of the genocide.
USAID programs in Rwanda have assisted the country to rebuild government infrastructure and institutions, including the justice system, and to address the critical shortage of trained professionals such as health workers, lawyers and university professors. Peace and security within Rwanda's borders have allowed USAID programs to move from humanitarian assistance and food aid to sustainable development activities that focus on increasing food production with improved, disease-resistant varieties and increasing exports of specialty coffee, pyrethrum, and fruits. With continued security, the health and safety of Rwanda's eight million citizens will continue to improve.
For more information on USAID efforts in Rwanda, please contact the Rwanda mission at 250-570-940.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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