The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, yesterday, kicked off the distribution of food items and construction materials to flood victims in the districts of Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu.The ministry began the distribution to 220 critically affected families who received beans, maize, and iron sheets as part of Rwf 80 million allocated to victims. The recent floods which hit the north and western provinces, killed five people, destroyed 265 houses and 876 ha of crops.The Director of Disaster Management, in MIDMAR, Justin Kayira, said the ministry is committed to ensuring effective coordination of relevant ministries for the implementation of all long-term prevention and preparedness measures agreed upon by the Prime Minister and Disaster Management Steering committee. “Disaster prevention concerns everyone, we have to face the causes of these problems,” Kayira said.District authorities are currently identifying the affected population and relocating to safer areas especially those living in high risk zones.Prime Minister, Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi and several ministers visited the affected areas to assess the damage. In a related development, torrential rains recently damaged at least 20 homes in Gatsibo and Kirehe districts, flooded farms and left over 100 villagers homeless.
