Rwanda aims to increase its disaster resilience from 46% to 60% by 2030, according to a new report released by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) on Thursday. The report highlights that the country currently faces disaster-related losses between $200 million and $300 million annually.
The announcement was made during Rwanda’s participation in the global observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The theme for this year’s event was “Understanding the Root Causes of Disaster Risks in Rwanda: From National Policies and Plans to Proactive Actions.”
Philippe Habinshuti, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Emergency Management, emphasized the significant risks that disasters pose to lives, infrastructure, and the environment, often leaving long-lasting, irreversible impacts.
The report detailed the resilience levels across various sectors: agriculture and livestock at 44%, housing and settlements at 55%, transport infrastructure at 39%, energy at 57%, water and sanitation at 46%, environment at 44%, mining and quarrying at 42%, and emergency management at 72%.
“Achieving a 60% resilience rate by 2030 requires implementing robust national disaster risk reduction and management policies,” Habinshuti stated. These policies are designed to improve disaster risk awareness, strengthen governance frameworks, and promote investments in resilience across various sectors, with a strong focus on proactive planning, response readiness, and sustainable recovery.
The estimated cost of implementing these policies is Rwf40.2 billion ($32 million), with additional strategies—such as a national early warning system—currently under development.
In 2022, UN Secretary-General António Guterres launched a $3.1 billion global initiative aimed at ensuring universal early warning systems within five years. Guterres pointed out that countries with inadequate warning systems face disaster-related mortality rates that are eight times higher than those with strong systems.
Fulgence Dusabimana, the Vice Mayor of Kigali in charge of Urbanization and Infrastructure, highlighted the critical need for a comprehensive stormwater management plan to address urban flooding in the capital. “Disaster risk reduction must be central to our urban planning efforts,” he said.
Kigali has already invested over $1 million in its Stormwater Management Master Plan, set for completion in 2024. However, nationwide stormwater management will require an estimated $400 million by 2030.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira, Minister of Emergency Management, urged strict adherence to building codes and environmental impact assessments to enhance disaster resilience. “For example, many homes still lack essential lightning protection,” he noted.
The minister also called for a broader adoption of insurance policies covering agriculture, livestock, housing, businesses, and religious institutions to better mitigate disaster-related risks.
From January to October 2024, Rwanda experienced significant damage due to disasters, with over 1,600 homes destroyed, 1,000 hectares of crops affected, 66 classrooms damaged, and numerous infrastructure components—including 60 road sections, 12 churches, and 12 bridges—rendered unusable.
Looking ahead, Rwanda’s disaster response strategy will focus on the development of multi-hazard early warning systems, catchment area restoration, improved watershed management, and targeted flood control measures in high-risk zones.
As the country works towards its goal of improving disaster resilience, the focus remains on safeguarding its citizens, infrastructure, and the environment from the growing threat of natural hazards.
