The road to recovery for Nyabihu flood victims

Hardly four months after hazardous floods hit Jenda Sector in Nyabihu District, it is evident that the victims can now afford a sigh of relief after intervention by both government and relief agencies.Residents in the area demonstrated kindness when they accommodated their neighbours who were left homeless when torrential rains and floods destroyed their homes between April and May 2012.It is estimated that over 60 families were displaced with most of them losing property.Forty-two year old Théoneste Ndagijimana, a father of two, currently living with his family at a friend’s second house is grateful for the support he received after his house was washed away by floods.“As soon as my house was destroyed, I was immediately helped to get a place to stay; life has gradually taken a positive turn despite many needs that persist,” he comments.The house in which he currently resides was offered by a friend in the neighbouring sector whom he describes as kind and very supportive.“I became lucky that my house was not completely destroyed and I have now successfully relocated to another place,” says Esidrass Munyawera whose family was also affected.He says that even though his family’s welfare has slightly improved, various hardships still linger especially since most of those displaced by the floods do not have alternative land to build new houses.The Sector Executive Secretary, Théoneste Gashugi, says that those who lost property have already been furnished with replacements following support from relief agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross. “Their welfare has generally improved. What remains important is to find alternative land to build them new houses”.Meanwhile, there are new fears of a repeat of last April’s floods with the approaching rainy season expected to begin next month.

National

The road to recovery for Nyabihu flood victims