The Impact of Landslide Disasters on the Socio-Economic Livelihood of Local Communities in Rwanda: A Case Study of Ngororero District (2014–2024)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of landslide disasters on the socio-economic livelihood of local communities in Rwanda, with a case study of Ngororero District covering the period 2014 to 2024. The objectives of this study were: to evaluate the landslide disasters and their characteristics in Ngororero District; to assess the socio-economic livelihood conditions of the local community in Ngororero District; and to determine the relationship between landslide disasters and socio-economic livelihoods in Ngororero District. The study adopted a descriptive and correlational research design, and a structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument of data collection from 393 respondents selected through stratified random sampling, complemented by semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively selected key informants. The findings on the first objective revealed that landslides occur frequently in Ngororero district, with 52.4% of respondents confirming regular occurrence and 50.6% reporting increased frequency over the past five years. Hilly and mountainous areas were most affected (91.8%), while heavy rainfall (69.9%), deforestation (76.8%), and poor farming practices on steep slopes (61.1%) were identified as the primary causal factors. For the second objective, the findings revealed that landslides severely disrupted market access and trade activities (52.7%), worsened food security and agricultural production (68.7%), and reduced household income and employment opportunities (63.4%), with an overall deterioration in community socio-economic conditions (66.2%). Key informant interviews further corroborated these findings, revealing institutional coordination gaps, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and limited livelihood recovery support as critical challenges. For the third objective, Spearman's correlation analysis demonstrated a strong and statistically significant positive relationship (r = 0.798, p = 0.016) between landslide disasters and socio-economic livelihood deterioration. In conclusion, landslide disasters constitute a severe and escalating threat to communities in Ngororero district, deeply interconnected with socio-economic vulnerability. Recommendations include the implementation of decentralised community-based early warning systems, land-use enforcement, reforestation initiatives, improved drainage infrastructure, and livelihood diversification programs.