Rwanda: Floods and Landslides - May 2023

In the past few days, particularly on 2-3 May, heavy rainfall hit the northern, western and southern provinces of Rwanda, causing floods, triggering landslides and leading to casualties and damage. According to the Government of Rwanda, at least 127 people have died across the affected provinces, media report several injured people and some others still missing. In addition, some houses collapsed, and two main roads are impassable due to flooding and landslides. Rescue interventions conducted by the national authorities are ongoing across the worst-hit locations. For the next 24 hours, moderate rain is expected over most parts of the country. (ECHO, 4 May 2023)

It is one week since heavy rain flooded part of Rwanda’s western and northern provinces, and a huge clean-up operation is underway. The impact has been devastating in the region, with 131 people losing their lives and close on 6,000 homes destroyed. The heavy rains swept away everything in their path demolishing homes, cutting off roads, and wiping out crops and livestock. (Trócaire, 12 May 2023)

After the severe floods and landslides that affected northern, western and southern Provinces of Rwanda on 2-3 May, the death toll has increased and further damage has been reported. Media reports, as of 16 May, up to 131 fatalities, and more than 5,800 displaced families across the affected Provinces. Key assets and infrastructure were also damaged including 6,391 houses, 2 health centres, 29 bridges, many national and district roads, numerous voltage lines as well as 5 power stations. 58 schools were affected. Over the next 24 hours, more rainfall is forecast over western Rwanda. (ECHO, 16 May 2023)

The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, has allocated $1.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support the Government-led response to the floods and landslides which struck Rwanda in early May. ... the northern, western, and southern provinces of Rwanda were hit by heavy rainfalls in May, causing deadly floods and landslides. More than 100 people died and 18,000 have been displaced. Homes, roads, as well as crops and livestock have been severely impacted. (UNDCG, 9 Jun 2023)