Rwanda’s Ministry of disaster management is appealing for funding to boost its capacity to respond effectively to the needs of those affected by the ongoing weather shocks characterised by heavy rains and flooding that has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced internally around the country.

Specifically, the Ministry is requesting for Rwf5.3 billion, which presents an additional of Rwf726 million from the previous financial year.

“During the last financial year (one-month to the end), the ministry failed on its mission of integrating the families that were affected by disasters due to the limited financial shortfall, and we that why we want the ministry’s budget to be increased,” said Jeanne D’Arc De Bonheur, the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugees (MIDIMAR) told a parliamentary budget committee recently, requesting for more funding in the new financial year beginning July 2018/2019.

According to De Bonheur, due to limited funding, the ministry has faced challenges in responding to the needs of the affected families.

For instance, some affected families have yet to receive iron sheets to enable them to have access to shelter.

Currently, the response and recovery program allocated Rwf492million, while disaster risk reduction and preparedness was allocated Rwf68 million.

According to the official figures, from January to May 10th, 2018, Midimar recorded 215 deaths with 239 injured from disasters countrywide.

The figures further indicates that disasters damaged over 4,900 hectares of crops and destroyed over 10,300 houses, 61 roads, 8 churches, 43 bridges and killed 708 livestock.

Due to budget constraints, the government has been requesting non-affected families to provide shelter to neighbouring affected families.

“Life is difficult as big chunk of our crops was destroyed  by the floods,” Madelene Nyirabasabose, an affected resident of Karongi district in western province told Rwanda Today, adding that despite receiving shelter, she is still struggling to cope after the weather shock.

The ministry officials say the assessment of the affected families that need food and other support relief is still underway.

However, the proposed budget allocation remains far below the required resources to mitigate the impact of the disasters and to prevent further shocks.

“Recovery and preparedness dockets are the key sections that are in need of the adjusted budget for the ministry to cope with the extent to which the disasters are taking (place),” Philippe Habinshuti, the director of response and recovery unit of Midimar, told Rwanda Today.

However, parliament has recommended setting up a disaster management fund that can facilitate resources to be mobilised from well-wishers and the general public.

"Dealing with disasters needs a lot of money, there should be a disaster fund pool to which everyone willing to supporting the affected families can contribute to,” said Constance Rwaka Mukayuhi, the chairperson of the parliamentary Standing Committee on National Budget.