In a swift humanitarian response to devastating floods in Burundi’s Kirundo Province, the Burundian Women’s Solidarity for Social Welfare and Progress (SFBSP-Burundi), in partnership with local authorities, has provided emergency aid to 173 families affected by recent torrential rains.
The disaster, which struck the Cewe and Kirundo Rural hills, left scores of residents homeless, with homes washed away and personal belongings lost to the deluge.
Many of the affected are women, children, and people without a stable source of income.
Emergency assistance, including tents, hygiene kits, blankets, soap, cooking pots, and water buckets, was distributed in the hard-hit area of Butanyerera, where families have taken temporary shelter.
“We encourage these families to use these donations to rebuild their lives,” said Dusenge Annick, a representative of SFBSP-Burundi, as she handed over supplies to the displaced.
Her message of hope was echoed by local officials who praised the rapid mobilization of aid.
Eric Nduwayezu, chief of staff to the governor of Kirundo, acknowledged the critical role of such partnerships in managing disasters.
“This kind of responsiveness is what our people need in moments of crisis,” he stated.
But beyond the emergency response lies a deeper concern: prevention.
Authorities in Kirundo are now exploring long-term solutions to mitigate the risks of similar disasters. Plans include a more comprehensive urban development policy focusing on flood risk reduction, stricter building codes, and enhanced public awareness campaigns.
Local leaders also emphasized the importance of collaborating with engineers, climate experts, and environmental groups to develop sustainable strategies in a region increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events driven by climate change.
As the affected communities begin to rebuild, there is a shared determination that recovery must go hand in hand with resilience.
“After the rain, we rebuild together,” one official remarked, capturing the spirit of solidarity that has emerged from tragedy.
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