The role of Rwanda defense force (RDF) in Disaster management: A case of Nyarugenge District

Abstract

The objective of this study is to understand the role and involvement of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in disaster management in Nyarugenge district, City of Kigali (CoK). Identify any challenges encountered by the RDF in the process of managing disasters and suggest the way forward on how to better manage disasters as a future enduring solution. Disasters have proven to be a hindrance to regional and national developments where the frequency and severity have significantly increased toll of human casualties as well as economic and environment losses. Disaster management in Rwanda involves RDF and other stakeholders however it remains challenging at different levels based on played roles by each stakeholder. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, relevant international literature were reviewed and compared with that of Rwanda. The evaluation of roles and involvement of RDF and other actors in disaster management was done using guided interviews and surveys. Our results showed that the effort of the RDF in enhancing the response of the military to emergency situation still needed. As the performance of RDF in disaster management whether natural or manmade could have been effective but hindered by lack of capabilities in terms of equipment and budget at both tactical and operational level. It came to the researcher attention that different actors contributing in the disasters management services were not aware of the law that governing disaster management as most of them claim that they collide with lack of disaster management funds. This study submits that besides insufficiency of funds allocated to the disaster management, the RDF encounters other challenges that are associated with people who need rescue after the disaster. The military relief efforts are sometimes hampered by the limited mindset of disaster victims which makes them be adamant to shift from their location. This has a nexus to the economic category these large families pertain to. It is also identified that disasters affect the poor more than the well to do persons in society.