Film
Flood Risks Rising
Inaccessible Evacuation Routes Leave Disabled Rwandans at Greater Risk During Disasters
We’ve partnered with disabled filmmakers globally to document how climate change is impacting people with disabilities in their communities. In the lead-up to COP29, we’ll be sharing excerpts from their reports. “Heat and Hurricanes” was edited by Megan Canizares.
In May 2023, torrential rains devastated communities across Rwanda, claiming approximately 130 lives and leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Florentine Mukantagwera, a Rwandan woman with a physical disability, recounts the terrifying experience of watching floods consume her surroundings, highlighting the heightened risks faced by people with limited mobility. For individuals like Florentine, navigating the mountainous terrain to access essential services is a daily struggle made worse by natural disasters. As floods increase globally, with Rwanda particularly at risk, the need for inclusive disaster planning grows more urgent. Ensuring safe evacuation routes and accessible shelters is critical for Rwandans with disabilities.
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Filmmaker: Francine Uwayisaba
Francine Uwayisaba is a field officer at Rwanda Union of Little People (RULP) and is in charge of the organization’s communications. She writes grants, manages RULP’s social media, and composes articles and weekly updates for the website. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication from the University of Rwanda and has been a freelance contributor to the Disability Justice Project since the fall of 2022. She is trained in basic sign language; disability inclusion in HIV interventions; disability, sexuality, and rights; and gender balancing. She also works as an actor in dubbing movies from international languages to Kinyarwanda.
