President Paul Kagame has expressed gratitude to world leaders and friends who offered their condolences to Rwanda following the tragic disasters that occurred on May 2-3, claiming the lives of over 130 individuals in Western, Northern, and Southern provinces.

In a tweet on Monday, May 15, President Kagame wrote, "Thank you to all the leaders and friends who sent condolence messages following the loss of lives from the devastating floods and landslides in Rwanda. We are grateful for your solidarity and support to the people of Rwanda. Your messages serve as a reminder that, together, we will overcome these challenges as we work towards rebuilding and assisting the survivors."

Among the leaders who extended their condolences were Chinese President Xi Jinping, African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva.

ALSO READ: Death toll from disasters reaches 135, over 20,000 left homeless

The floods and landslides that occurred during the night of May 2 to May 3 resulted in the tragic death toll of over131 individuals, marking the highest number of casualties ever recorded in a single day due to disasters.

As the situation continues to unfold, the death toll has now reached 135, and more than 20,000 individuals have been displaced and left homeless, with nearly 6,000 houses completely destroyed.

To provide support and assistance to those affected, over 80 emergency camps have been set up in the affected districts, accommodating the displaced individuals and offering relief aid.

During his visit to Rubavu, one of the districts most severely affected, President Kagame assured the affected population that the government is committed to ensuring their resettlement in safer areas.

ALSO READ: Govt needs Rwf13bn to relocate 19,000 families from high risk zones

The Ministry of Emergency Management has estimated that at least Rwf13 billion is needed to relocate more than 19,000 households living in high-risk areas to safer regions. It is crucial for households residing in these vulnerable zones to consider relocating to mitigate future risks.

In the capital city of Kigali, approximately 6,000 families are urgently in need of relocation from areas that pose life-threatening hazards.

The Ministry of Infrastructure has stated that the government will require Rwf110 billion to reconstruct the damaged roads, bridges, and other essential infrastructure affected by the devastating floods and landslides.