Kigali, 12 December 2024. Mainstreaming climate change adaptation into the activities of Rwanda’s Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) is more effective and sustainable than stand-alone adaptation efforts, LODA Director General (DG) Claudine Nyinawagaga noted, at a meeting that launched efforts to integrate adaptation into Rwanda’s Pro-Poor Development (PPD) Basket Fund.
The meeting, which took place on 12 November 2024 in Kigali, was co-organized by LODA, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and BRAC International. It was attended by representatives of key government and non-government institutions, including the Ministry of Environment, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences; and by development partners, including Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Luxembourg Development Agency.
The PPD Basket Fund, supported by AFD and other development partners, provides development support for transport, water supply systems, health centers, education and agriculture to 16 rural districts in Rwanda. GCA, in partnership with local partner BRAC International, is supporting the integration of locally led adaptation processes in district level planning for two districts under the Pro-Poor Development Basket Fund in Rwanda.
DG Nyinawagaga welcomed GCA’s support, which will also include the development of guidelines to integrate climate vulnerability into the fund allocation formula for districts, and capacity building of LODA and district officials to scale up the approach to other districts covered by the Basket Fund. “Climate vulnerable districts in Rwanda spend a significant proportion of their development allocations to respond to climate related impacts such as floods, droughts and landslides,” she said. “Investing in development without factoring climate risks means the investments are washed away, and people continue to suffer.”
Victor Orindi, LLA Specialist, GCA, said the technical assistance provided by GCA will focus on piloting People’s Adaptation Planning processes in the two districts of Nyabihu and Ngororero, and revising the PPD Basket Fund allocation formula to include climate vulnerability.
Bernardin Bavuge, REMA, said a national climate vulnerability assessment published in 2019 is being updated through household surveys. Districts will be ranked based on their climate vulnerability, and hotspots will be identified to inform the National Adaptation Planning process.
Antoinette Mukandayisenga, Mayor of Nyabihu, addresses the district workshop in Nyabiju
The national inception meeting was preceded by district level workshops in Nyabihu and Ngororero, two districts where GCA support will be provided for the development of Peoples’ Adaptation Plans. Mayor Antoinette Mukandayisenga from Nyabihu and Mayor Christopher Nkusi from Ngororero highlighted the vulnerability of their districts and welcomed the initiative, while designating their deputies to serve as focal points.
