Burundi is suffering economically from major climate-related disasters. Anisette Nibaruta, Director-General of Public Safety, disclosed at a workshop held at the Hotel Club du Lac in Bujumbura on 18 September 2023 that the annual cost of these weather events is $92 million for the country’s territory all , and $33 million attributed to Bujumbura alone.
Also at the event was Vijaya Souri, head of mission for the International Organization for Migration in Burundi, who highlighted that Burundi is among the twenty countries most vulnerable to climate change globally with alarming reality is that nearly 90% of the evacuations are accompanied by climate-related disasters.
In response to this critical issue, the EU allocated approximately €9 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Burundi by 2020. This is what Tubehoneja’s project aimed to enforce implementing resilience to natural disasters in Burundi The project sought to support national and local efforts to build Burundian population resilience to climate-related disasters and displacement if related intensity This was done in collaboration with the National Disaster Prevention and Disaster Management Agency (PN-PRGC).
Among the key achievements of this project highlighted by Anicet Nibaruta are:
- Produce a map of risks, a detailed understanding of the major risks facing the management sector, annual losses due to natural disasters, and a list of the 50 most at-risk communities in terms of natural disasters
- Rehabilitation of water damage at Gasekebuye in Bujumbura, Buganda in Sibitoke, Kinyami in Ngozi, Nyamugari and Nyabiharge in Gitega and Mugomere in Rumonge Besides, the project included the rehabilitation of Musasa River agricultural dams at Rutana. These efforts have played an important role in socio-economic development, community living and environmental protection.
Interior Minister Martin Niteretse commended the achievement of these major projects for their tangible impact on community and beneficiary programmes. He urged all public social enterprises to use the multi-hazard map as a valuable tool for planning and decision-making.
Also, Martin Niteretse urged county governors to ensure regular rehabilitation under the project programme.
