Torrential rains and flooding kills dozens of people in Rwanda
NBCMay 10, 2023
The Facts
On Wednesday, Rwandan authorities said at least 130 people have been killed in the country's northern and western provinces from extreme flooding and landslides, with six deaths reported in neighboring Uganda.
Heavy downpours that occurred overnight followed weeks of rain, damaging infrastructure and homes. Nyandwi Emmanuel, a renter in the Karongi district in western Rwanda, said three relatives were killed when their home collapsed on them as they slept.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Reports have shown that human-caused climate change is causing a significant increase in the number of severe flooding events taking place across eastern and western Africa. At the very same time, the areas are becoming more populated, with land being used for settlements and farming. The result is catastrophic devastation with every heavy rainfall. Authorities must stop expansion into these areas or relocate the existing residents to safer regions. Otherwise, there will continue to be fatal consequences.
Establishment-critical narrative
Africa accounts for just 2% of the world's demand for coal and its emissions are minute. Yet, the continent is significantly and disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change. Wealthier states — such as the US — that have benefited from decades of using fossil fuels and other unsustainable practices to enrich themselves at the cost of other countries need to compensate for their actions and support struggling nations like Rwanda and Uganda.