Rwandan Gov't provides relief to communities affected by heavy rains in Southern Rwanda

Rwandan minister of Refugees and Disaster Management, Jeanne d’Arc Debonheur, addressing affected communities in Huye district

Rwanda's ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs on Monday said it is responding to the needs of people affected by high winds and heavy rains that destroyed 119 homes in Huye, a district in Southern Rwanda.


According to a senior local administrative official in Mukura sector of Huye district (South) which was the mostly affected, at least 26 vulnerable affected families are the only ones who received, blankets, kitchen accessories and cooking utensils.

It is said that in some parts of the affected district, several dozens of families have been forced to evacuate their villages to safer places.

"We are currently working closely with central government and local authorities to address the most immediate needs of the affected communities,"the mayor of Huye district, Eugene Kayiranga Muzuka, said.

The rains began falling on Saturday evening and continued for the next 24 hours, he said.

Previous estimates by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affairs in Kigali indicate that Natural disasters have wreaked havoc in Rwanda this month, killing 5 people, destroying about 1,000 houses and 892 hectares of crops.

Roads, bridges and water supply lines were also damaged and livestock lost during the month, the authorities said in a report. The most notable events were floods, landslides and winds triggered by heavy rains.

Weather predictions indicate that more downpours are expected across the country between September and December and officials have urged communities living in remote rural zones to fight against erosion.

Meanwhile, the Rwandan ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees has said it is currently working on a project that will ensure the safety of every member of the community in case of an emergency. (END)

Heavy rains have been pouring down over the past few weeks in several parts of the tiny East African nation, damaging roads, bridges and water supply lines, after destroying about 1,000 houses and 892 hectares of crops, the ministry said.

Source: PANAPRESS