So far more than 130 people have lost their lives across the Western, Northern and Southern Province, after a devastating downpour caused floods and mudslides on the night of Tuesday, May 2, and the early hours of May 3. This calls for more actions towards climate change causes.
“Sebeya River’s ability and strength go with how the rain falls. There might be where human capability meets with that river power. The Rwandan government has been doing a lot on how the citizen can live properly around. That river has a long journey; it passes through very long mountains with soil erosions and so there must be more forest planted where some people are cultivating. There are some levels of highness that people shouldn’t even bother cultivating at,” said Faustin Vuningoma, the RCCDN Coordinator in an interview with Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) when asked what needs to be done in regard to human power and Sebeya River’s ability.
He added that there are some global conferences that happen on a yearly basis, ‘Conference of Parties’ and reflected on what was discussed in the COP27, “Last year during COP27, the discussion urged that there should be a Fund that focuses on Loss and Damage. It was highlighted that the fund is initiated, but there was no mechanism for its operation, nowhere the money will come from that was defined. That being said, the Rwandan government and other African states have to come together and look way better into how to further that fund financially since Africa is even more vulnerable when it comes to climate change and environmental issues.”
The flood and landslide got terrible
Alain Mukurarinda, The Deputy Government Spokesperson confirmed that 130 people who passed away in Rutsiro, Karongi and Nyabihu were way more severe. 77 were injured, 36 are admitted to hospitals and they have to be treated free of charge, there are 5 who got lost. More than 5174 houses got completely destroyed and around 3300 of them are in Rubavu District alone, more than 2500 houses are all in danger of being destroyed too.
Some citizens whose relatives passed away and whose properties got washed away expressed their gratitude and also presented suggestions. “The government of Rwanda thought about us and gave immediate support to take us away from the danger and especially the Red Cross cared for the children so that they can’t get sick,” said Francoise Mukamana. Her counterpart who is even facing the matter for the first time, Devota Hadidja Uwababyeyi said, “Sebeya River issues are getting worse. The government has been helpful to us and we do ask for more support and we suggest that they can help us to relocate and move us to stay to other places.”
His Excellency, Paul Kagame the President of Rwanda stated his commiserations to those who lost their loved ones and ensured to personally follow up on the matter as he said, “My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the landslides and floods that occurred last night in the Western, Northern and Southern Provinces. We are doing everything within our means to address this difficult situation. I am personally following up on the response closely.
Mukulalinda urged people who are in the danger zones of the disaster to stay away from the places and the government put them to various sites. Some deceased are to be buried and further measures are being enforced towards climate change actions. The basic support from the government were given to the citizens and from the local institutions as well as private sectors are doing all they can to help those in need.
Be it Faustin Vuningoma and other speakers in this matter revealed that all people in different sectors and individuals are urged to take care of the environmental concern and look closely into the climate change matter with better actions to ensure climate justice.
