In April 2024, torrential rains in southwestern Burundi triggered a devastating landslide in Gabaniro village, Rumonge province. Nearly 500 homes were flattened, one child was killed, and 2,500 residents were left homeless. Alongside the tragic loss of life, 500 hectares of cropland were destroyed, threatening livelihoods in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
Survivors are struggling to recover from the disaster. Evangélique Hatungimana, a resident of Gabaniro, recalled the terror of the event. “We have been living in constant fear since witnessing something we never thought possible,” she told Dialogue Earth. In nearby Mubone, Christine Tuyisenge’s home now bears deep cracks from the flooding. “When it rains, I take my children and leave the house for fear it will be swept away,” she said.
The disaster has worsened gender disparities in rural areas, with women bearing the brunt of recovery efforts. Many men have left in search of work, leaving women like Claudine Ntakirutimana in Gabaniro to care for children alone. “I am struggling to care for my children, who sometimes trick me into thinking they’re going to school, but they wander in the bush instead,” Ntakirutimana said.
For others, economic devastation has upended livelihoods. In Mubone, Amissa Nizeyimana was forced to abandon her banana beer business after suppliers fled the village. She moved her family to Gitaza and now sells cassava bread at a roadside market. “Our economy has been ruined,” she said.
Land rights are another obstacle. Women, responsible for over 90% of agricultural production in Burundi, hold just 5% of land titles due to legal and cultural restrictions. After disasters, land boundaries are often lost, making it harder for women to prove ownership. Evelyne Ndoricimpa of the Association of Women for Peace and Integrated Community Development (AFPDIC) warns that women’s land is often seized if not registered. “Litigation can take years to resolve,” she said.
Children have also suffered disproportionately. Many displaced children have had to walk long distances to attend school, leading to frequent absences and dropouts. Others have taken on child labor to support their families, working as porters or selling food in markets. On Lake Tanganyika, children have turned to fishing despite the dangers of crocodiles and hippopotami.
The risk of sexual violence has also increased in displacement camps. Marguerite Tubihabwe, a resident of Gatumba, recalled how her daughter narrowly escaped an attempted assault while fetching water one evening. “A group of women walking behind her screamed, and the boys fled,” Tubihabwe said. Similar incidents have been reported by the UN’s International Organization for Migration.
To address the rising climate threats, Burundi launched a $10 million project in September 2024 to boost flood management and climate-resilient livelihoods, especially for women and youth. Muhuta commune’s local administration has mobilized residents to plant trees to curb soil erosion and protect homes.
Former environment minister Albert Mbonerane has called for a more robust disaster-alert system. He recommends expanding weather warnings beyond state broadcasters to private radio stations to reach more residents. He also advocates for environmental education to prepare children for future climate impacts.
Ndoricimpa emphasized the need for campaigns to raise awareness of land rights, particularly for widows. She urged the government to waive land registration fees for widows, helping them secure ownership and justice in the wake of climate-induced disasters.
With annual rainfall projected to increase due to high-intensity events, the challenges faced by communities near Lake Tanganyika will likely worsen. But as survivors in Gabaniro and beyond rebuild, their resilience and the support they receive will be key to creating a safer and more prepared future.