The 2023 Rwanda floods occurred in April and May 2023. Heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in north-western Rwanda, causing the deaths of 130 individuals as of May 3, 2023.

2023 Rwanda floods
ECDM 20230510 FL DRC Rwanda (cropped main)
DateApril-May 2023
Locationnorth-western Rwanda
Deaths130 individuals as of May 3, 2023

Flooding and landslides edit

In late April and early May, the Rwanda Metrology Agency predicted rainfall between 50mm and 200mm across the country within the first 10 days of May. In the north-western region, heavy rain ranging from 175mm to 200mm was anticipated.

On the night of May 2, the heavy rain affected Ngororero, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Rutsiro and Karongi Districts, with forecasts indicating that Rurindo, Gakenke and Gicumbi Districts were also likely to experience similarly heavy rains in the following days.[1]

Landslides also caused roads to be closed on 2 May.[2]

Government and humanitarian interventions edit

Rwandan Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente attended a burial service in Rubavu District on May 4, where he said that authorities would "continue to ensure that you [victims] have shelter and basic needs".[2][3]

The Rwandans responded promptly to a devastating flood disaster on 2 and 3 may which resulted in the tragic loss of 115 lives in the west and Northern provinces only. The Government established a command center.[4] to coordinate relief efforts[5] by deploying a team of rescue officials from affected provinces The ministry of emergency and Management, The ministry of local government and the police and provided medical treatment for those who were affected , provided food and shelter[6] The humanitarian organization like HOT , through Open Street Map Rwanda supported with tools like FMTM and youth involvement in data collection to facilitate the Districts in future data driven decision making , Red Cross Rwanda[7] Organizations provided funds for The rapid response from FAO ,WFP, WHO. [8] The emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths has allocated $1.5 millions from the central emergency response fund CFRF to support the government led response [9]

Aftermath edit

Many flood victims were buried in mass burials.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ "Rwanda's devastating floods, landslides deaths rise to 130". The East African. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  2. ^ a b "Death toll from Rwanda flash floods rises to 127". Al Jazeera. 2023-05-03. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  3. ^ "Survivor of Rwanda Floods: 'We Struggled to Cling to Anything'". Voice of America. 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  4. ^ Nkurunziza, Michel (2023-05-04). "Rwanda Sets Up Command Centre to Coordinate Flood Disaster Interventions". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  5. ^ Nkurunziza, Michel (2023-05-03). "Rwanda sets up command centre to coordinate flood disaster interventions". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  6. ^ Princewill, Duarte Mendonca,Nimi (2023-05-03). "Floods in western Rwanda kill at least 127 people". CNN. Retrieved 2024-02-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "IFRC GO". go.ifrc.org. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  8. ^ "Allocation summary | CERF". cerf.un.org. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  9. ^ "Rwanda: Floods and Landslides - May 2023 | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2023-09-08. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  10. ^ "65 killed as heavy rains trigger floods, landslides". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-03.