Rwanda needs at least Rwf130 billion to repair infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and medical facilities affected by the recent floods and landslides. The estimation was announced by the Minister of Emergency Management, Marie-Solange Kayisire, on Saturday, May 6, during a press briefing on the disasters which killed 131 people and destroyed about 6,000 houses in Northern, Western and Southern provinces. ALSO READ: Mammoth relief effort underway as Rwanda responds to deadly floods, landslides She said Rwf130 billion was the current estimation. A comprehensive budget will be arrived at after a post-disaster assessment is completed. Up to 14 major roads were affected by the landslides and flash floods. More than 50 schools were affected. Minister of Infrastructure Ernest Nsabimana said Rwf110 billion will be spent on building national and district roads, bridges, electricity and water infrastructure. ALSO READ: A plan for schools damaged by floods “For example, the affected bridges will have to be rebuilt because we cannot repair them,” Nsabimana said. “We need to build climate resilient infrastructure that can withstand disasters like the ones we experienced recently.” Rebuilding national roads affected by the floods and landslides will require Rwf41 billion, bridges Rwf38 billion, inter-district roads Rwf25 billion, electricity infrastructure Rwf5 billion and Rwf1 billion for the affected water infrastructure. Nsabimana said nine out of 14 major roads that were affected had reopened as of Saturday morning. “Out of 12 hydropower plants that were affected, five are now working,” he said. ALSO READ: Western Rwanda: Some roads reopen after floods, landslides The number of people killed by the floods and landslides on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday was 131. One person died of injuries on Friday. Another person is still missing. Kayisire said the death-toll was the highest ever recorded in one day due to floods and landslides in Rwanda's recent history.
