A total of 20,000 residents in Ngororero District still reside in high risk zones.

To avert a catastrophe, government, in partnership with key development partners, is in the process of building a model village to relocate people living in high risk areas.

At least 500 houses in Ngororero were destroyed by rains in March this year.

But through a project dubbed "strengthening human security by enhancing resilience to natural disasters and climate change-related threats, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee affairs and UN agencies are implementing activities to build model village and health centers to reduce the impact of natural disasters to communities.

The project in Ngororero will cost some $4.9 million (approx. Rwf3.9 billion) which will be provided by the UN Trust Fund for Human Security and other UN agencies.

At least 200 modern houses will be constructed in two sectors Kabaya and Sovu.

During a field visit last week, Seraphine Mukantabana, the minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, together with local leaders participated in a community service to prepare a new model village in Kabaya sector.

The minister was accompanied by Mehrnaz Mostafavi, the head of Human Security Unit at the UN headquarters among other UN agencies representatives.

Some of the houses are already complete.

Mukantabana urged residents to be the primary custodians of their lives, saying that they should not remain in risky areas.

Mukantabana also advised beneficiaries to profit from the support, cautioning them not to sell off the new houses.

"Besides accommodation we help citizens to get mattresses, beds among other needs. The country takes its citizens to be the biggest resource to the nation and that is why government always invests much effort to boost people’s welfare,” she said, urging them to reciprocate by contributing to national development.

Mukantabana noted that the ministry is working closely with the district to ensure that all residents who remain in high risk zones are relocated as soon as possible. 

Mehrnaz Mostafavi, the head of Human Security Unit at the UN headquarters appreciated the implementation of activities to provide hospitality, adding that partnership with the government will bring significant impacts on people’s lives as well as security.

Godefroid Ndayambaje, the mayor of Ngororero, said that once all residents are settled in model village, it will promote their security, living conditions, disaster protection among other benefits that improve people’s welfare.

Citizens’ voice

François Sekabanza, an affected resident welcomed the support he got after he had lost his properties to disasters.

He thanked the government and its partners for quick support.

Speciose Uwimana, testified that after the heavy rains washed away her house, she was taken in by neighbors, but was glad she finally had her own house.

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