Flooding and landslides that killed over 130 people in Rwanda’s Western and Northern provinces last week caused damages estimated at Rwf 130 billion, according to government.
The disaster destroyed 5,600 houses, more than 2,000 hectares of crops and killed 4,000 animals.
The government has estimated that it needs Rwf 130 billion francs to be able to deal with the effects of the disasters that hit the Western, Northern and a small part of the Southern region.
The announcement was made over the weekend in Kigali during an interview by the three ministers, including those in charge of Disaster, Infrastructure and National Administration, with the media, aimed at showing the damage caused by the disaster that hit the country last week.
But the indirect cost of the flooding and landslides could be much higher, and recovery will be neither easy nor quick.
They said that the money will come from the public treasury and the aid that is coming from Rwandans and their friends.
So far, the government says that 131 people have been killed by heavy rains that fell on Tuesday night.
In addition to the victims of the rain, the Ministry of Emergency Services announced that 94 people were injured in the disaster, and one person is still missing.
The ministry explained that in addition to those who lost their lives in the flood, about 5,600 houses were destroyed, more than 2,000 hectares of crops were destroyed, and more than 4,000 animals were also killed by the rain.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Ernest Nsabimana, explained that the infrastructure is among those affected by this incident.
The government says that it has started providing basic aid to those affected by this disaster, including food, various materials and medical care for those who need it.
In addition, this is to be done in cooperation with other citizens where lines have been set up for those who want to provide support either through the bank or by phone.
Until now, churches and different religions have set up ways to help people who have been in danger, by providing them with food, clothing, and some even donating money.
The minister in charge of relief activities, Mrs. Solange Kayisire , said that the government is preparing activities to help those affected by this in a sustainable way.
Although the rain that fell on Tuesday morning has not yet returned, the forecasters indicate that there is still a lot of rain.
The government has also prevented people from returning to their homes so as not to put their lives in danger.
The Minister of Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana, asked the people to continue to pay attention.
Regarding the issue of students who have been taken out of their homes for days without studying, the government says that on Monday they will be helped to get materials and go back to school.
