KIGALI, Rwanda – Rwanda Minister of Emergency Management, Albert Murasira, announced on Thursday the adoption of a new national disaster risk reduction and management policy, calling for a united effort from all stakeholders to build a resilient nation.
“Good disaster risk management is not the responsibility of one ministry, agency, or partner alone but requires a coalition,” said Ozonnia Ojielo, UN resident coordinator for Rwanda, during a national conference on disaster risk reduction and management in Kigali.
The conference was held to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, under the theme “Understanding the Root Causes of Disaster Risks in Rwanda: From National Policies and Plans to Proactive Actions.” It brought together government officials, development and humanitarian partners, civil society, academia, faith-based organizations, and the private sector to discuss proactive strategies for enhancing Rwanda’s resilience to both natural and human-made disasters.
Murasira urged participants to strengthen collaboration and partnerships to effectively implement the policy. Ojielo echoed the sentiment, noting that disasters are increasingly predictable in their unpredictability, underscoring the importance of joint action between Rwanda and the UN to build a more resilient future.
The new policy will be integrated into all planning by government ministries, agencies, and partners, according to Murasira.
Fulgence Dusabimana, Kigali’s vice mayor in charge of urbanization and infrastructure, said the capital city already conducts risk assessments before approving any new project to identify potential hazards such as floods and landslides. “Kigali’s Urban Planning guidelines mandate adherence to disaster-resilient building codes and land-use policies to ensure safer construction areas and the use of materials and designs that can withstand environmental challenges,” said Dusabimana.
