The Minister for Emergency Management, Maj Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira, urged citizens to actively engage in disaster prevention, emphasizing that building climate resilience is not solely the government’s responsibility. He made the call on Thursday, October 22, during the national celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction held in Rubavu District, themed Resilience Starts at Home: Building Safer Homes and Stronger Communities. The event was marked by the official handover of 870 newly constructed homes to families displaced by the devastating May 2023 floods and landslides. More than 1,300 homes have been built for disaster-affected families in Rubavu, and more than 5,000 nationwide. Addressing hundreds of beneficiaries at the ceremony, Minister Murasira stressed that sustainable disaster risk management must begin at the household level. This event reminds us that disaster risk management starts in our homes, Murasira said. It is not only a government responsibility—it is everyone’s duty, starting right from where we live. PHOTOS: The Minister for Emergency Management (MINEMA), Maj Gen (Rtd) Albert Murasira has joined residents of Rubavu District to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home: Building Safer Homes and Stronger Communities.” The... pic.twitter.com/p6gEN3KdYK — The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) October 22, 2026 The minister also called on residents to remain vigilant and stay informed about environmental hazards. You must consistently follow weather updates and early warnings issued by competent authorities, he added. The May 2023 disaster left 4,235 families homeless across Rubavu District, prompting extensive relief and reconstruction programmes. Rubavu District Mayor Prosper Mulindwa said that over Rwf16 billion has been allocated toward disaster response, infrastructure rehabilitation, and community recovery so far. Despite the district’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, Mulindwa highlighted that protective infrastructure and heightened community awareness are creating safer environments. We have undertaken extensive measures to build resilience, including soil erosion prevention, progressive terracing, and the protection of river buffer zones, Mulindwa stated. For beneficiaries like Marie Claire Ndererimana, who lost her home in the 2023 disaster, the new home marks a turning point after years of displacement. We used to live in very poor and unsafe conditions after losing our house, said the 43-year-old mother of eight. This new home is cemented, strong, and safe. I am deeply grateful to the leadership of our country for restoring our dignity.
