Rusizi — Hundreds of Rwandans were made homeless by the earthquakes that struck in early February.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 on the Richter scale on 15 February struck the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, killing three people and wounding more than 30 in the districts of Rusizi and Nyamasheke in southwestern Rwanda, according to a new official toll.

Mary Mukamusoni, a 44-year-old resident of Rusizi district, describes her experience.

"It was during the night and we were sleeping, and suddenly, we started feeling the ground shaking.

"I will never know exactly how many people died there. There were cries for help in all the neighbouring villages.

"After the heavy quake, everything in the house caved in. It felt like there was someone under my bedroom floor who lifted the house, it was a big panic.

"When I tried to escape by running outside, the walls of my house collapsed.

"There were cries everywhere in my village, but no one was able to rescue his neighbour.

"Many homes in my village have been destroyed by the quakes, and many of them have already come off their foundations.

"I am not sure if I can go back to my village, because there is no longer quake insurance there.

"There is no hope, nor insurance to return there ... I lost my child and one brother. Many of my relatives, many of my friends and neighbours have also been trapped by the disaster. The survivors are still homeless."

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]