Rwanda
Rwanda has been confronted with the effects of a changing climate in recent years with floods resulting from heavy rainfalls, especially in the north-western highlands of Rwanda and periodic droughts in the eastern lowlands. This increased variability in rainfall patterns can have a substantial impact on rain-fed agriculture which remains the main source of livelihood for the majority of the population and contributes a third of the country’s GDP. Records of annual mean temperature show a significant increasing trend between 1971 and 2010 of 0.35°C per decade across Rwanda, which is slightly higher than the observed global average of 0.27°C per decade from 1979 to 2005.
USAID Rwanda’s development objectives include improving food security, reducing vulnerability, and maintaining sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor. USAID supports Rwanda’s national institutions efforts to create a more climate informed-society. Access to more and better climate information and the introduction of more sustainable agricultural practices will help transform the lives of rural populations struggling to confront risks and uncertainties imposed by climate change. USAID plans to build the capacity of Government of Rwanda institutions involved in issues related to climate change to provide farmers with the best-available climate forecast knowledge and agronomic advice to help more farmers prepare for and cope with the impact of climate change.
Climate Change Information
- Climate Change Adaptation in Rwanda (2012, 4 pages)
- GHG Emissions Factsheet: East Africa (2015, 8 pages)
USAID Activities
- USAID - Rwanda
- Results of USAID’s Environment Spending in Rwanda
- Blog: Local Beats Global When it Comes to National Climate Services in Rwanda
- Impact Blog: Q&A - How Power Africa is Investing in a Brighter Planet
- Impact Blog: Acting on Climate, Reducing Poverty, Powering Africa
- See USAID IDEA indicator compilation for Rwanda: climate, energy, environment and more
