16^th August, 2021 - The Government of Rwanda has launched an awareness campaign, urging the general public to increase their efforts in disaster prevention and mitigation in advance of the upcoming rainy season, which is typically characterized by various meteorological hazards' incidents.

Rainwater and runoff damage has been one of the most common and costliest disasters in recent years, claiming lives and causing a variety of severe damage. These disasters include erosion, landslides, and floods, which are caused primarily by degraded soils and poor land management that are common in our country, which is especially prevalent in Kigali City.

In this regard, Ministries and Government Agencies involved in erosion control, storm water management, weather forecasting, disaster prevention and management have collaborated to increase preparedness for the UMUHINDO rainfall season, which runs from September to December 2021.

“Climate change is already affecting every inhabited region across the globe with human influence contributing to many observed changes in weather and climate extremes,” IPCC Report 2021 reveals.

In this line, the Government of Rwanda reiterates the following prevention and safety measures:

• Residents living near swamp wetland to reallocate to safer areas;
• It is critical to dwell near major gullies, ravines and water drainage;
• Citizens are urged to report any threats to the community's safety and well-being to local authorities;
• Harvest water from the roofs and appropriately convey excess rainwater;
• Avoid living in extreme and very steep slopes rather it is encouraged to rent houses in safe locations;
• Citizens are urged to monitor flood-prone areas and report to local authorities;
• It is important to maintain soil erosion control, planting fixing grasses and agroforestry trees;
• Citizens are urged to tighten roofs so that houses can withstand strong winds as recommended by MINEMA as well as desilting of water ways;
• Citizens are encouraged to always refer to the weather forecast and weather advisories issued by Meteo Rwanda to take informed decisions;
• It is forbidden to encroach buffers of rivers and lakes with no permitted land practices or constructions particularly home buildings;
• It is forbidden to cross rivers, streams and ravines during rainfall;
• Comply with lightning safety measures;
• Specifically, in the City of Kigali, much efforts should be put in the following:
• Regular community cleaning in their respective areas and avoid dumping wastes in inappropriate areas;
• Rainwater harvesting and maintenance of storm water management structures (water pits, anti-erosion trenches and water channels, etc.);
• Carrying out community mobilization, encouraging the population to put together their own means to solve issues related to soil erosion and flooding in their community;
• Conducting an assessment of households located in high risk zones to identify those most likely to be affected by disasters.

Ends,