Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, on Friday, May 12, visited disaster affected residents of Rubavu District and pledged continued support in recovery.
Last week, on May 3, heavy rains in the northern, western, and southern provinces of the country claimed at least 131 lives, injured and left many hospitalised.
The government immediately put in place an emergency response, including evacuation and temporary relocation of residents from affected and high-risk areas to temporary camp sites.
This was coupled with first aid relief supplies, as well as Rwandans’ initiative to mobilize nationwide funding to support the affected citizens, where they raised more than Rwf10 million in less than 24 hours, on May 6.
The Head of State visited at least 2,513 people at a temporary site at Nyemeramihigo in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu district.
Other sites in the district include Rugerero with 344 people, Kanyefurwe with 1,666 people, and Nyamyumba with 532 people.
Kagame assured the residents that the government is following up on their situation and will support them in every way possible.
“We think of you and we are doing everything possible to help you in these tough times and very soon, you will go back to your usual life routine and responsibilities,” he said.
Kagame added that there will be continuous efforts to correct and fill gaps in disaster response mechanisms as local leaders conduct regular monitoring of the situation in the camps.
The Nyemeramihigo site provides shelter, tents and mosquito nets to displaced people, and allocated a health center, an Early Childhood Development center for children under five years, as well as hygiene facilities.
Some of the people hosted at the site expressed their appreciation with the government’s quick turnaround in rescue operations and first aid support.
Kagame also visited and assessed different places destroyed by floods from Sebeya river such as the roads, houses, and Nyundo secondary school that has just resumed schooling programmes.
The most affected districts by floods and landslides include Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze, and Nyamagabe.
The Head of State visited at least 2,513 people at a temporary site at Nyemeramihigo in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu district. Photo by RBA
