The Rwandan Genocide: 21 years later (12 Pictures)

In 1994 TIME photographer James Nachtwey witnessed the devastating effects of the Rwandan genocide

The Rwandan Genocide was in 1994. It was a mass killing of hundreds of thousands of Rwandas's Tutsis and Hutu. Men woman and even children.Out of a population of 7.3 million people - 84% of whom where Hutu, 15% Tutsi and 1% Twa - the official figures published by the Rwandan government estimated the number of victims of the genocide to 1,174,000 in 100 days (10,000 murdered every day, 400 every hour, 7 every minute). 

They Were killed with all types of weapons but the most disturbing were the machetes. It really is beyond me how someone can slaughter another with a machete! And kill children of all ages by Slicing them open with a machete!!!

Rwanda, 1994 - Survivor of Hutu death camp. Photo: James Nachtwey 

The massacre at Nyarabuye took place in the grounds of a Catholic Church and school. 
Hundreds of Tutsis, including many children, 
were slaughtered at close range, Rwanda, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

At the Red Cross clinic in Nyanza, Tutsis who had been freed from the death camp 
were treated for their wounds, Rwanda, 1994
Photo: James Nachtwey 

At the Red Cross clinic in Nyanza. Tutsis who had been freed from the death camp 
were treated for their wounds, Rwanda, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

Survivors of the death camp new Nyanza were in extremely 
poor condition when they were liberated by Tutsi rebel forces, Rwanda, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

The massacre at Nyarabuye took place in the grounds of a Catholic Church and school. 
Hundreds of Tutsis, including many children, were slaughtered at close range 
in Rwanda, 1994 (left). Thousands were buried anonymously in mass, 
communal graves in Zaire, 1994 (right).Photo: James Nachtwey 

Refugees lined up to receive medical assistance in Zaire. 
Some died while they waited, Zaire, 1994. Photo: James Nachtwey 

Thousands were buried anonymously in mass, communal graves in Zaire, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

Intravenous rehydration was critical to reviving cholera victims, Zaire, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

Children were especially susceptible to disease, Zaire, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

Children were especially susceptible to the disease, Zaire, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey 

After several days, the number of fatalities rapidly increased. 
The dead were stacked by the roadside in Zaire rather than buried, 
adding further momentum to the epidemic, 1994.
Photo: James Nachtwey