Kigali, Rwanda Press, June 30, 2023 – The cost of damages caused by the landslides across the Western and Northern Provinces of Rwanda amounted to Rwf222 billion, the government announced on Friday.
In May this year, the flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rains of May 2-3, killed 135 people and displaced more than 20,000 people in the Northern, Southern and Western provinces of the country.
The heavy downpour overflowed River Sebeya, a tributary of Lake Kivu which meanders along parts of Rubavu district was a key engine to severe damage.
Appearing before parliament on Friday, Rwanda’s Prime Minister Dr Edouard Ngirente outlined some of the government’s actions and plans for managing and preventing disasters, pointing out how the Government has helped those affected by the recent disasters.
The Prime Minister revealed that “the cost of damages caused by the disasters that occurred in May 2023, amounts to 222.31 billion Rwandan francs.” As part of government response and support to families affected by disasters, the Prime Minister added that “3,711 families were provided with rental assistance for 3 months, food and basic necessities while their houses are being repaired or built.”
Prime Minister said that from May 2023, 438 houses are being repaired and new houses for 3,088 families whose houses were completely damaged will be built.
Dr Ngirente thanked all partners for their contribution to disaster emergency response and encouraged families and households who are still living in high-risk zones to quickly move from those zones to safer areas.
