[01] Janvier Bisengimana, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda. [02] Lamek Nahayo, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Lay Adventists of Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda.

Landslide occurrence impacts on livelihoods, hence, community involvement is crucial to ensure preparedness and adaptation as well. This study aimed to assess the extent of landslide preparedness for the risk reduction among residents of Gakenke district, northern Rwanda. A sample of 99 households was calculated from 11,271 households. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data which were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results, as mentioned by 49.5% of respondents, revealed that sometimes landslide information is listened on radio and television compared to 75.5% who never received alert on their mobile phones. This expresses that the information is not reaching all people as mobiles phones are not used while owners recorded gradual record in recent years. In addition, the delivered information merely bases on recent events and omits meteorological information like rainfall which could raise awareness as rainfall leads the majority of landslide occurrence in Rwanda. Moreover, the indigenous knowledge is not integrated in planning and execution landslide preparedness schedule. The study suggests improved use of short messages and meteorological information. Accordingly, provision of local trainings and starting disaster courses at early age would develop the awareness (preparedness) and contribute to response at large.

Gakenke District, Landslide, Preparedness, Risk Reduction, Rwanda

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