KIGALI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has announced 141 million U.S. dollars in assistance to help Rwanda enhance its disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.

The funds will support Kigali's efforts in building stronger disaster risk information and institutional coordination, climate and disaster resilience, as well as natural resources management for resilience, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

World Bank Country Manager for Rwanda Sahr Kpundeh said the funding is in light of the 2023 devastating floods and landslides that led to the death of 131 people and left over 18,000 others homeless in the country.

"Rwanda has made tremendous progress in development over the past two decades, but climate change threatens to reverse these gains. The lessons learned from the May 2023 floods informed this operation, ensuring that our support directly addresses the vulnerabilities that communities face on the ground," he said.

Rwanda faces increasing vulnerability to climate-related disasters, with more than 80 percent of disaster impacts linked to climate change, according to the World Bank.

The World Bank hailed Rwanda for taking proactive steps to safeguard its development achievements and ensuring a more resilient future for its citizens by integrating disaster risk management into national planning.

World Bank Senior Development Specialist Saurabh Dani said that by simultaneously strengthening institutional coordination, improving building standards and enhancing natural resource management, Rwanda is building resilience across multiple fronts. ■