Rwandan authorities are demolishing homes in the capital Kigali deemed to be at risk from what they describe as “climate dangers”. Hundreds of houses built on or near wetlands are being destroyed.
The authorities say they need to protect people from flooding and landslides following unusually heavy rains.
Families say they have received no compensation, despite living in the area legally for decades and paying land taxes. They say they’ve had no choice but to take their belongings outside and watch their homes being smashed to the ground.
“My family has legally lived here for more than 40 years, we pay land taxes every year but look what there are doing to us,” Immaculee Uwera told the BBC.
Some people are being accommodated in classrooms, while others are being sheltered by friends and relatives.
The authorities say “those with legal rights to live on the land” will receive compensation.
About 45 people have died from landslides, lighting and other disasters caused by heavy rain over the past three months, the emergency ministry says.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
