A total of 5,096 homes were constructed or rehabilitated under the project. Of these, 3,522 were newly built, while 1,574 were renovated.

The project began in Ngororero and Nyabihu districts in Western Province.

The disasters occurred during the night of May 2-3, 2023, affecting the Northern, Western and Southern provinces.

They claimed 135 lives, while more than 2,100 houses were partially damaged and another 2,763 were completely destroyed.

Rubavu District was among the hardest-hit areas, with 1,564 houses affected, including 855 that were completely destroyed.

Among the homes rehabilitated or constructed, Rubavu accounts for 461 renovated homes and 870 newly built ones.

Rutsiro has 381 renovated homes and 435 newly built homes, while Nyabihu has 288 renovated homes and 710 newly built homes.

Karongi District has 171 renovated homes and 399 newly built ones, while Ngororero has 241 renovated homes and 255 newly built homes. Burera has 32 renovated homes and 579 newly built homes.

Muhanga has 141 newly constructed homes, while Musanze has 115. Overall, the project resulted in 5,096 homes being made available to families, accommodating 25,480 people.

Minister in Charge of Emergency Management, Gen Maj (Rtd) Albert Murasira, said the homes were built in fulfilment of a commitment made by President Paul Kagame to residents of Rubavu who were affected by disasters caused by River Sebeya.

“Rubavu was among the areas severely affected by the disasters. The Head of State visited the area at the time and promised residents that they would be given new homes. That is the project we implemented, and today we are completing it and officially beginning the process of handing over the homes. The residents have already moved in, and we are also checking that the houses were properly constructed,” Maj Gen (Rtd) Murasira said.

He said the government had a responsibility to support residents affected by disasters and that the houses were built to withstand future disasters.

“The residents faced difficulties, and the country had to come to their aid. That is why they were given strong houses that can withstand disasters. This is a beginning, not an end. They should work to improve their lives. Since the disaster occurred, we had been renting houses for them,” he said.

Residents who were relocated from areas where their lives had been at risk expressed relief after receiving the new homes.

Tuyishime Valentine from Ngororero District said she had been living in a dangerous area in a house that was in poor condition.

“I lived in a dangerous area, in a leaking house. I was left there alone after my husband abandoned me, and I felt that I would die there. My house eventually had to be demolished and I was forcibly removed from it. They rented a house for me until today, when I have been given a good house that does not leak,” she said.

Iribagiza Fatuma Olive said she had never imagined living in such a house.

“I had never dreamed of living in a house like this. The house we were removed from had already collapsed on us, but fortunately no one died. They rented a house for us for two and a half years until the houses they were building for us were completed and they moved us in. The children now sleep peacefully because we are no longer living in a dangerous area,” she said.

Ngororero was among the districts where the handover of homes to families affected by disasters began. A total of 255 families received newly built homes, while 241 families had their houses rehabilitated, and all have now moved into them.