These disasters claimed 135 lives, damaged over 2,100 houses, and completely destroyed 2,763 others.
Roads and other key infrastructure were also severely impacted, particularly in the Northern, Southern, and Western Provinces, leaving over 20,000 people in urgent need of assistance.
As part of the recovery efforts, 1,322 houses are being rehabilitated through the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) project, a collaboration between the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank.
According to a report from the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA), 537 houses have been fully repaired, 566 are under rehabilitation, and 219 are scheduled for renovation soon.
However, reconstruction of the 2,763 completely destroyed houses has not yet commenced, as authorities continue identifying suitable land for rebuilding.
In addition to housing, 310 families across 14 disaster-affected districts have received various forms of assistance.
This includes construction materials such as 12,667 iron sheets, 1,574 kilograms of galvanized wire, 1,780 kilograms of roofing nails, 423 kilograms of standard nails, and 65 iron sheet caps.
Four schools damaged during the disasters have also been supported with 931 iron sheets, 129 wires, and 77 iron sheet caps for repairs.
Meanwhile, 2,001 people in 16 districts received essential supplies, including hygiene kits, kitchenware, school supplies, and clothing for students.
Road repair efforts and the rehabilitation of the Nyundo Bridge in Rubavu District are well underway.
To address recurring flooding issues, retaining walls are being constructed along the Sebeya River, which is notorious for causing floods during the rainy season.
The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) has already built 1.3 kilometers of retaining walls and implemented other flood mitigation measures, including constructing a reservoir with a capacity of two million cubic meters and planting bamboo and other vegetation to slow water flow.
In October 2024, MINEMA announced $26 million in funding secured from the World Bank for rebuilding houses for disaster-affected families.
These funds will be used to rebuild or rehabilitate 6,218 houses. To date, 2,830 houses have been completed, 2,052 are under rehabilitation, and 1,335 are still to be constructed.
Rwanda continues to prioritize disaster recovery and mitigation, with MINEMA emphasizing that relief, response, and mitigation efforts receive substantial investment worth $300 million annually.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/inside-rwanda-s-recovery-efforts-following-may-2023-disasters
