A/HRC/19/56/Add.1 Shelters were commonly small and fragile constructions of sticks, grass, plastic sheeting and/or pieces of textile. They provided little protection from the elements, including frequent heavy rainfall. These communities were commonly located on steeply sloping hillsides that were not conducive to anything but small-scale shelters, but frequently housed whole families including children. 60. In December 2010, the Government‟s “Bye Bye Nyakatsi” programme required demolition of thatched roofed homes (nyakatsi) to be replaced by iron-roofed structures. NGOs are concerned that local authorities have demolished the houses of Batwa before any replacement houses or appropriate assistance has been provided. While the programme is not solely for the Batwa, the Batwa may be disproportionately affected, since they commonly live in rudimentary thatched shelters, exist in conditions of disadvantage and vulnerability and are poorly equipped to respond to difficulties created by the premature dismantling of their homes. 61. In one community near Butare, community members spoke from the remains of their homes, which they said had been demolished just prior to the independent expert‟s visit, leaving them without shelter and forced to rely on neighbours. A plot had been cleared for construction, but no houses had been provided. In every Batwa community visited with national NGOs, communities asked her to convey their plight to the Government and request urgent provision of adequate housing. 62. The Ombudsman‟s office stated that Batwa benefit equally from Government programmes to provide housing and iron roofing, but frequently sell the roofing provided or knock down the walls of houses to create a single room. Batwa were frequently referred to as “ignorant” and not capable of benefiting from Government assistance. Officials stated that they had received no complaints from Batwa, but undertook to assess the situation of the communities identified. Batwa representatives told the independent expert that discriminatory treatment and lack of confidence created barriers to their filing complaints with authorities. 63. Many Batwa are land-less agricultural labourers or, lacking paid employment, exist through begging or charity. Batwa-rights NGOs noted that Batwa were not used to land ownership or managing finances and often lacked cultivation skills enabling them to adapt to life outside of the forest. In recent years, pottery has become an important source of income and a significant aspect of Batwa identity. However, lack of access to clay and cheap modern alternatives to traditionally crafted pots have limited income from this activity. Many Batwa today live in extreme poverty. 64. The Ombudsman stated that under a Government public works programme, people without income are given work by the district authorities including cleaning and road maintenance. While Batwa should have access to this programme, it was evident that some communities were living in remote areas and under conditions of extreme hardship and that such Government assistance was failing to reach them. 65. The “Girinka” programme, a “One Cow per Poor Family” programme, aims to provide poor families occupying more than 0.7 hectares of land with a cow. NGOs point out that many Batwa do not have land that is suitable for livestock, and often lack animal husbandry skills, making them largely unable to meet the criteria for participating in or benefit from this programme. 3. Health 66. Community members described the effects of their living conditions on their health and highlighted inadequate health-care provision. In Bwiza, a Batwa community near Kigali, high infant mortality rates, short average lifespans and falling population numbers are in stark contrast to the general population growth. Community members described 16