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

The number of people killed by flash floods and landslides on May 2 and May 3 has risen to 135, the Ministry in charge of Emergency Management said on Saturday, May 13.As noted, up to 110 people were injured by the disasters that hit Western, Northern and Southern provinces. Thirteen people are still in hospital and one is still missing. Up to 5,963 houses were destroyed, leaving 20,326 people homeless.ALSO READ: Kagame visits disaster-hit citizens, promises quick supportPresident Paul Kagame visited the disaster-hit areas and displaced families, on Friday, promising them urgently needed relief support.At a temporary accommodation site, which hosts more than 2,500 displaced people in Rubavu District, Kagame said the government would do everything possible to make sure they return to their normal lives.ALSO READ: Govt needs Rwf13bn to relocate 19,000 families from high risk zonesThe Ministry of Emergency Management said the displaced people are being hosted at 83 temporary accommodation sites.The Ministry has distributed 426 tonnes of food support as it continues to work with its stakeholders to assist the disaster-affected households.Households living in risky areas were encouraged to relocate. Weather forecasts say heavy rains will continue throughout May. In the capital, Kigali, officials say, nearly 6,000 families urgently need to relocate from areas that put their lives at risk.The government says Rwf13 billion is needed to resettle 19,000 families from risky areas across the country.The disasters affected 20 national roads, 15 of which have been repaired, while 12 power stations and eight water treatment plants have all been repaired.Earlier, the Minister of Infrastructure, Ernest Nsabimana, said the government needs Rwf110 billion to rebuild the critical infrastructure hit by the floods and landslides.

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