The message of comfort sent by Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads that the country stands in solidarity with Rwandans during these difficult times.

“We are deeply saddened that more than 100 lost their lives due to the landslides and floods caused by heavy rains on 2nd May 2023 in the Western and Northern Provinces of the Republic of Rwanda,” reads the statement.

“We express our condolences and solidarity to the relatives of those who have lost their lives as well as to the friendly people and Government of Rwanda,” adds the statement.

On Tuesday evening, Rwanda’s Presidency shared a message from President Kagame who condoled with families whose relatives lost lives during the disasters.

He also expressed solidarity with those who were wounded and assured that rescue interventions were ongoing in the affected districts of Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Gakenke, Burera, Musanze and Nyamagabe in Western, Northern and Southern Provinces.

Rwanda and Türkiye enjoy vibrant relations reinforced through cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, investment and trade among others.

Both countries are connected through daily flights operated by Turkish Airlines.

In February this year; Turkish Ambassador to Rwanda, Aslan Alper Yüksel thanked Rwanda for having stood in solidarity with the country when earthquake that hit the country took lives of around 60,000 people.

Apart from Turkey, AUC Chairperson, Musa Faki Mahamat has also expressed solidarity with Rwandans.

“My thoughts and prayers go to the families of the more than 127 people who lost their lives and those left homeless by devastating landslides caused by heavy rains in Rwanda’s Southern, Western and Northern provinces. In full solidarity with the government and people of Rwanda,” he tweeted.

Chinese Embassy in Rwanda has also took to Twitter to express ’deep condolences over those lost their lives in the disasters caused by recent heavy rains and sincere sympathies to their families, as well as to the injured and disaster-hit people’.

"We stand with our Rwanda friends and believe Rwanda will get over the hard times," reads part of the tweet.

Other well-wishers who expressed solidarity with Rwandans via Twitter include the Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda, Coumba Dieng Sow.

She said that she was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by floods in Rwanda and promised support.

“I have assured the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda and FAO ’s commitment to supporting their efforts to restore agricultural livelihoods affected by this disaster and protect lives,” added Coumba.

The World Bank Group Country Manager for Rwanda, Rolande Pryce, also said that their thoughts and prayers are with the citizens who experienced the severe flooding and particularly those who lost their lives and their grieving families.

“May the departed Rest in Peace eternally,” she noted.

As at Wednesday evening, the death toll had risen to 130.