Torrential rains leave 7,000 people homeless

Torrential rains in the northern province on Byumba and the northeastern province of Umutara in Rwanda have left at least 7,000 people, or 1,000 families, homeless, the Rwanda News Agency (RNA) reported on Thursday.

An average family in Rwanda comprises seven people, according to initial census results that the government of Rwanda released in 2002.

The agency reported that residents of the two provinces had urged the government to rescue them. It quoted sources from Umutara as saying that at least 700 families had lost their homes after their houses collapsed and the roofs of others swept by gusting winds and heavy rains. In Rukara District alone, 113 homes were damaged, cows and goats died, and crops were destroyed, RNA reported.

In Byumba Province, 60 schools and more than 100 homes were destroyed. RNA said the districts mostly hit were Bungwe, Kisaro and Bwisige. Sources said that 16 pupils were injured in Byumba when classrooms collapsed on them.

Education Minister Romain Murenzi visited Byumba on Wednesday and told the residents that destroyed schools would be rebuilt immediately, and that between 3,000 and 4,000 iron sheets were required to repair the schools.

The agency quoted the minister for natural resources and environment protection, Drocella Mugorewera, as calling on the residents to plant more trees to reduce soil erosion in order to avoid such catastrophes.

The rains also affected the central province of Gitarama Province, causing the destruction of crops. The residents have expressed concern that the crop losses posed the risk of hunger for them.