The Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security Gervais Ndirakobuca issued a statement on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, on the eve of the International Day for Disaster Reduction, celebrated on October 13 each year.

As this day coincides with the commemoration of the assassination of the National Independence Hero Prince Louis Rwagasore, the minister announced that the related festivities will take place on October 18, 2021 in Kirundo province under the theme: “Together for a safer and resilient world”.

The Minister of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security said that the celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is an opportunity to assess the efforts made to reduce environmental losses, the loss of human lives and livelihoods caused by the effects of disasters. An opportunity also to raise awareness among communities about reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience in the face of disasters.

In this statement, the minister indicated that efforts have been made to reduce the impact of risks on communities and the environment through active cooperation between the Government of Burundi and its partners. According to the minister, thanks to this active cooperation, responses to emergency situations have been provided while others are in progress.

The Minister in charge of Public Security, in his duties on behalf of the Government of Burundi, thanked all the partners who are making a visible contribution to reducing the suffering of communities affected by the emergencies. He encouraged them to support the national platform for risk prevention and disaster management, the preparation of the response to different types of disasters in general and in the fight against the spread of Covid-19, in particular.

The minister ended by saying that the Government of Burundi will spare no effort in risk prevention and disaster management.