Harnessing local knowledge in Rwanda

Frank, a resident of Gisasa in Rwanda, has lived through the devastation that extreme weather events can bring. For years, his community suffered the consequences of severe erosion triggered by heavy rains. “Before starting anti-erosive activities of terracing hillsides of Gisasa community, there were no trenches along the hill, and the erosion caused catastrophes such as house destructions, wiping out good land,” Frank recalls. The runoff from the hills destroyed his home and swept away his crops, leaving his family and neighbours facing hunger, displacement, and a lack of basic services.

Harnessing local knowledge in Rwanda to combat erosion

In 2023, GNDR member, Manadisaster Organisation, initiated a project in Gisasa and the neighbouring Kangondo community, as part of our Making Displacement Safer programme. This initiative aimed to address the disaster risks faced by displaced communities like Frank’s by empowering them to develop sustainable solutions.

The project was a collaborative effort. It brought together displaced community members, local government officials, academia, NGOs, and the private sector through the Urban Living Lab process. Together, they worked to understand the challenges and propose innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of Gisasa and Kangondo.

Frank was actively involved in this process, contributing to the community-driven initiatives. One of the solutions proposed was the digging of trenches and terracing of hillsides to combat the severe erosion that had affected the area. Frank remembers the impact before these measures were implemented: “My crops have been washed away down in the river by runoff from up hills. Nowadays, that issue is sorted as we got irrigations, diggings, and trenches to intercept all the runoff from up the hill. The same runoff used to come with high velocity, destroying everything including my crops, and I lost my house too and roads.”

The implementation of these anti-erosive measures, combined with environmental conservation training and domestic gardening initiatives, has significantly reduced the risk of flooding and landslides in Frank’s community. These efforts have not only protected homes and farmlands but have also contributed to improving agricultural productivity and overall resilience.

Building resilience through local solutions and advocacy

In addition to these on-the-ground interventions, the project focused on advocacy, particularly with local government authorities like the City of Kigali’s management. During roundtable discussions, these authorities committed to allocating budget resources for the following year to provide accommodation and necessary equipment for displaced populations – a significant victory for the community.

Frank’s experience shows how a combination of local knowledge, community engagement, and strategic advocacy can create lasting change. “All these problems caused hunger, displacement of people, and issues with basic services,” Frank reflects. “But now we have hope.” His story is a testament to the effectiveness of the Manadisaster Organisation’s approach, which has helped build resilience in Gisasa where the community can now look forward to a future where their homes, livelihoods, and families are safer and more secure.