Government intends to spend approximately Rwf2 billion towards saving communities around the former Gihembe refugee camp from deadly landslides in Gicumbi district, The New Times has learnt.

The move follows the relocation of refugees from the former Gihembe camp to Mahama refugee camp in Kirehe district after assessment found many households were living in high risk areas.

Gihembe camp was home to 10,017 individuals who formed 2,267 households.

However, after relocating the refugees, the surrounding communities also remained under threat of landslides.

The contractor to fix ravines caused by landslides that are affecting communities around Former Gihembe refugee camp could be available within two months according to Phillippe Habinshuti, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry in charge of emergency management.

"The rehabilitation could start in March this year as the contractor is about to be hired. The communities around the hill that used to accommodate refugees and infrastructure are vulnerable and once ravines are rehabilitated, it will be a sustainable solution to landslides and floods,” he said.

He said that drainages on the hill will also be established to ensure floods do not affect the surrounding communities.

According to reports by The NewTimes, in 2015 alone, over 10 deaths were recorded due to lack of drainage system within the camp that led to persistent landslides.

Some ravines were fixed in 2016 at the cost of Rwf650 million but later collapsed again.

Communities around the former camp told The New Times that the road that was connecting Gicumbi town to Kageyo sector and other sectors was also cut by the ravines.

"The vehicles that used to transport goods on this road from Kageyo to Gicumbi town no longer have transport means and the water supply was also cut. We are using a long distance to get clean water," said Vestine Musabyemariya, a resident around the former camp.

Evariste Ngirimana, a cyclist who used to rely on the road transporting goods of traders in Gicumbi town and Kageyo sector said that he is currently only operating in Gicumbi town after the road was cut by ravines.

"This has affected revenues because traders pay well as we transport huge amounts of goods for them,” he said.

"Some try to excavate the sand in the ravines and this is risky," added David Hakizuwera.

Investors seek to develop the idle land

Parfaite Uwera, the Vice mayor in charge of economic development in Gicumbi district told The New Times that many investors are interested in developing the 40-hectare idle land after relocating the refugees to Mahama camp.

"The University of Technology and Arts of Byumba requested to use the land for university infrastructure, others want the land for a hospitality project and to build a hotel. Others seek the land for games played on hills.

While we are still discussing with the investors about possible projects, in the coming Agriculture season B, the district will give the land to farmers&039; cooperatives for seed multiplication to address seed shortage of different crops," she said.

Meanwhile, she said that there are some trees that have been planted on the hill to curb soil erosion and floods in addition to anti-erosion ditches.