PROBLEM ASSESMENT
According to the ministry in charge of emergency management in Rwanda, at least 65 people died in floods and landslides in Rwanda after torrential rain in between March and May 2020. The frequency, intensity and impact of natural hazard events are growing and causing more disasters with negative impacts on humans, economy and environment. Floods and landslides have been amongst the major disasters in Rwanda. Floods and landslides frequently affect localised areas of Rwanda and most of the affected people do not have efficient mechanisms to cope with natural hazards.
In addition, the hilly topography and high annual precipitation rates with overexploitation of the natural environment such as deforestation, inappropriate farming and poor housing techniques accelerate the disaster risks and hence result into loss of lives and damages to property. According to MINEMA the most vulnerable areas prone to landslides and floods are located in the north-western parts namely Nyabihu, Ngororero, Rubavu, Musanze, Burera and Gakenke.
