MINEMA relocates 800 families from disaster-prone areas

By The Inspirer.

The Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) has announced that, as part of its disaster preparedness strategy, it has relocated 800 families from high-risk zones to rented housing to protect them from potential natural disasters.

This information was shared at the conclusion of a disaster preparedness simulation exercise conducted in Rubavu District to assess the readiness of various institutions to respond to disasters, which are common in several parts of the country during this season.

Nearly two years ago, in May 2023, disasters severely impacted the Northern, Western, and Southern Provinces, claiming the lives of 135 people and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and personal property.

ACP Egide Mugwiza, the MINEMA official in charge of emergency response and infrastructure rehabilitation, told IGIHE that national-level strategies have been implemented to combat disasters. Among these efforts is the relocation of over 800 families to rented housing for two months, as they were previously living in areas deemed dangerous to their lives.

He stated, “To assist people living in life-threatening areas, we moved them. Across Rwanda, we have provided rental support for over 800 families for the months of April and May.”

The 2023 disasters, including severe flooding from the Sebeya River, particularly devastated Rubavu District. The events left 28 people dead, injured 50 others, and severely damaged 1,621 houses beyond repair, while another 1,758 sustained partial damage. Additionally, 1,629 houses remained in high-risk zones and had to be vacated.

To prevent similar tragedies, ACP Mugwiza said that a disaster response drill was conducted in early April 2025 in Rubavu District to test the coordination and readiness of all relevant emergency response entities, especially for communities living near the Sebeya River.

The exercise was designed to help Rubavu District assess the cooperation between local government and emergency services, evaluate available equipment, review early warning and evacuation strategies, and prepare for emergency response and post-disaster recovery.

He added, “As you know, during April and May, we usually experience flooding and landslides, particularly in the Western Province, especially in Rubavu. The Sebeya River frequently causes floods, despite various measures taken to prevent it from endangering lives.”

ACP Mugwiza emphasized that the country remains in a constant state of preparedness to respond to disasters anywhere in Rwanda, with systems in place for timely information dissemination, emergency equipment readiness, and relocation of residents from high-risk areas.

“We always stay prepared, especially during seasons like this. This simulation is part of that preparedness—to ensure that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. We also have the necessary equipment available, particularly in Rubavu and Musanze, where we have storage facilities,” he said.

He noted that the government has taken significant steps to mitigate floods caused by the Sebeya River, including the construction of retaining walls to prevent overflow and a dam capable of holding and slowly releasing water over several hours.

Rubavu District Mayor, Mulindwa Prosper, stated that among the families affected by the May 2023 disasters in the district, 740 are still receiving rental support, and some are gradually being relocated to newly constructed homes.