Minister Jeanne d’Arc Debonheur
Rwanda may have experienced the worst national disaster in 2018 following death of 183 people in just three months.
According to latest figures released by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees (MIDMAR), heavy rains have killed people, destroyed properties as well as causing several injuries.
From January to end of April this year, Midmar says it has recorded 183 deaths and 215 people have been injured.
Disasters also damaged 4,560 hectares of crops and destroyed 9974 houses. They also destroyed 58 roads, 7 churches, 42 bridges and killed 705 livestock.
Rwanda suffers five major hazards including; drought, landslides, floods, earthquake and windstorms.
A national risk atlas released in 2015 estimated that if all these hazards occurred, they impose a combined economic loss of Rwf112 billion ($132,232,970) – compared to $120 million government allocated to agriculture sector in the 2014/2015 budget.
This time, heavy rains took full share of the disasters. The disasters called for an impromptu cabinet meeting last night to comfort those who lost relatives and properties.
The Minister of Disaster Management and Refugees, De Bonheur Jeanne d’Arc reminded the population to respect measures worth to mitigate the disaster effect not only during the rainy season period but also in the future.
“We advise you to adopt community-based practices for disaster risk reduction measures including digging effective water drainage, proper land use, terracing and tree planting activities,” She said.
