Rwanda Hands Over 870 New Homes to Sebeya Flood Victims in Rubavu
RUBAVU, Rwanda — The Rwandan government on Thursday handed over newly constructed houses to 870 families displaced by the devastating Sebeya River floods of May 2023, marking a major step in the country’s recovery and resettlement efforts.
Minister of Emergency Management Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira led the official ceremony in Rugerero Sector, Rubavu District, in the Western Province.
The homes, built at the Ruranga and Kasonga sites, are valued at more than 16 billion Rwandan francs. They were constructed with support from the World Bank under the Contingency Emergency Response Component in partnership with the Government of Rwanda.
The houses fulfill a commitment made by President Paul Kagame during his visit to affected communities on May 12, 2023.
Families from some of the hardest-hit areas, including Mahoko, Pfunda, and Nyundo, are among the beneficiaries who had been living in temporary or rented accommodation after losing their homes.
The new dwellings feature solid brick construction, red roofs, rainwater-harvesting tanks, toilets, bathrooms, septic systems, and electrical wiring. Officials described them as permanent, safer, and more resilient alternatives to the structures destroyed in the disaster.
The May 2–3, 2023 floods and landslides, triggered by torrential rains, caused the Sebeya River to burst its banks. The disasters claimed 135 lives, destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, and displaced tens of thousands of people across western and northern Rwanda. Rubavu District was among the most severely affected.
This handover forms part of a wider national programme that has already delivered thousands of new or rehabilitated homes to disaster-affected families. Authorities aim to complete more than 4,000 houses for those impacted by the 2023 events. The project also includes relocation of households from high-risk zones along the river.
The ceremony coincided with activities marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, held under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home: Building Safer Homes and Stronger Communities.”
Local residents expressed relief and gratitude. One beneficiary noted that the new house is stronger and better equipped than the one lost to the floods, allowing the family to rebuild with greater security.
Alongside the housing programme, the government has advanced flood-control measures along the Sebeya River, including retention infrastructure, barriers, and early-warning systems. Officials say these efforts have significantly reduced the risk of similar disasters in recent years.
The relocation to the Rugerero sites is intended to provide not only shelter but also a foundation for long-term recovery in a safer environment.
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