24th January 2023: Combating the Sebeya river floods that used to wash away people's properties and claim lives in Kanama and Nyundo Sectors in Rubavu District has been one of the achievements of the Embedding Integrated Water Resources Management Programme in Rwanda (EWRM) - Sebeya Landscape Restoration Pilot Project (SLRPP) since 2019.

In order to prevent these floods from overflowing during the rainy season, mitigation and protection structures were built along the Sebeya river in Kanama and Nyundo Sectors. These include Sebeya lateral dyke, Sebeya retention dam, Gisunyu-Karambo retaining wall, and Bukeri diversion channel.

According to Espérance Mukarukundo, a resident of Nyundo Sector, flood control infrastructures have significantly reduced the havoc caused by the river’s floods.

"Floods have long destroyed our properties and killed people. Today, we are grateful to the Sebeya project for completely saving our lives, as we can now go about our daily activities in our places safely thanks to flood control infrastructures. We're relaxed." Mukarukundo witnesses.

Beneficiaries of the Sebeya project had the opportunity to share their testimonies about how the project improved their livelihoods during a media tour organized by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from 17^th to 19^th January 2022 in Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Rutsiro Districts.

The tour was also joined by the Director General of the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB), Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo, and the Programme Manager of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Rwanda as well as the Vice_Mayor in charge Socio-Economic Development of Rubavu District, Deogratias Nzabonimpa on on 18th January 2023 in Rubavu.

The journalists who took part visited the flood mitigation infrastructures, soil erosion control activities, and other supporting measures such as the Girinka Programme and rainwater harvesting initiatives.

Speaking to the media shortly after visiting the ongoing construction works of the Sebeya retention dam in Kanama Sector of Rubavu District, Dr. Emmanuel Rukundo announced that the flooding problems caused by the Sebeya river have almost been solved.

"The flood control infrastructures have almost solved the flooding issue, and residents are now safe. However, we still have a few activities left to do, such as planting trees and expanding terraces where they are not yet available," Dr. Rukundo explained.

Deogratias Nzabonimpa, the Vice Mayor for Socio-Economic Development in Rubavu District, added that these initiatives are very critical for the country.

"The district already has a maintenance plan for the implemented activities to avoid any possible damages. Loocal authorities will continue to maintain the Sebeya river while also relocating citizens living in life-threatening zones," Nzabonimpa stated.

Furthermore, Albert Schenk, the IUCN Rwanda Programme Manager, observes the positive impacts that this project has brought to the community and the results are excellent, and thus its expansion to other parts of Rwanda could be more impactful in improving the quality of life.

The Embedding Integrated Water Resources Management Programme in Rwanda (EWRM) – Sebeya Landscape Restoration Pilot Project (SLRPP) spans Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rutsiro and Ngororero District in Western Province. With the funds from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kigali, this project is implemented by the Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI).

Find more photos of the Sebeya Project  |  Also click here to see the media tour’s photos