Rwanda plans to deploy drones and satellites to monitor land conditions and prevent natural disasters across various parts of the country.
This was revealed by the Minister of Emergency Management (MINEMA), Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira, during a discussion with members of the Senate on April 2, 2025. A report from MINEMA indicates that the Northern and Western provinces are the most prone to disasters.
Currently, about 1,600 households require urgent relocation. These include 452 households in Rubavu, 424 in Rutsiro, 364 in Nyabihu, 100 in Nyamasheke, 88 in Rusizi, 77 in Nyaruguru, 69 in Nyamagabe, and 48 in Karongi.
During the discussion, Minister Murasira emphasized that the government is closely monitoring these areas to provide early warnings and respond swiftly in case of emergencies.
The minister also highlighted the government’s collaboration with universities for research, aiming to integrate technology for better land analysis and disaster preparedness.
“We want to use drones to assess land conditions because there are areas like Shyira where the soil frequently shifts, and we currently lack the capability to determine the exact cause. If we had satellite imaging, we could gain detailed insights into the soil’s structure,” he explained.
According to MINEMA, Rwanda’s disaster resilience level stands at 46%, partly due to the slow reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by disasters.
The country has 14 designated relocation sites for people displaced by natural calamities. In 2023 alone, disasters in Rwanda caused damages worth over Frw 222.3 billion.
Several measures have been put in place to protect people in over 500 disaster-prone areas. These include activating the national emergency command center, strengthening public awareness, identifying high-risk zones for monitoring, and establishing planned evacuation sites.
Evacuation sites have been set up in 14 districts to accommodate displaced individuals.
“Schools and churches may also serve as temporary shelters if needed,” Minister Murasira noted.
The designated evacuation sites are located in Burera, Gakenke, Gicumbi, Karongi, Muhanga, Musanze, Ngororero, Nyabihu, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Rubavu, Rulindo, Rusizi, and Rutsiro districts.