Disaster Week focuses on women empowerment

This year`s International Week for Disaster Reduction will focus on building the capacity of women and girls to effectively contribute towards disaster risk management.This was said yesterday by the Minister of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Gen. Marcel Gatsinzi.The week that starts on13 October, aims at sensitizing the public to encourage and strengthen the population’s efforts in participating in strategies that aim at reducing or preventing disaster.“We shall be involved in various activities, not only to support families that have been affected by landslides and heavy rains among other natural disasters, but also build the capacity of girls and women in contributing to the fight,” said Gatsinzi.During that period, the ministry targets to rehabilitate about 140 houses that were destroyed in recent disasters in different parts of the country.Gatsinzi explained that his ministry has developed a network that ensures any problem or any form of disaster can easily be reported and immediate response taken. The day will be marked under the theme; “Women and girls; the invisible force of resilience to disasters.” It has been recognized since 1989 upon the United Nations resolution to mark the day as International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. Jean Baptiste Nsengiyumva, the Director of Research and Public Awareness in the ministry, said this year’s theme has a lot to tell about what women and girls can contribute towards fighting risks.“We have developed programmes that we shall use in educating the young generation, especially students; the need for them to take part in activities to prevent or manage disaster,” he said.He added that the day will at the national level be celebrated in Rwamagana District, Eastern Province.Nsengiyumva singled out Burera, Rwamagana, Nyabihu, Rulindo, Nyamasheky and Muhanga as districts most vulnerable to natural disasters.Heavy rains that lead to floods and landslides that have seen resident’s crops and property destroyed as well as losing lives are the most common natural disasters in the country.Records indicate that from January to September this year, heavy rains, thunderstorms, lightening, floods and landslides killed 60 people. injured 102 and 1,942 houses destroyed while 238 hectares of crops were washed away.Nsengiyumva explained throughout the week, campaigns will be conducted to encourage tree planting and that about 1,000 trees will be planted.

National

Disaster Week focuses on women empowerment