Rwanda destroys homes facing climate challenge

Authorities in Rwanda have begun demolishing homes in the capital Kigali which they say are threatened by "climate dangers".

Officials say the destruction of hundreds of houses built on or near wetlands is necessary to protect people from flooding and landslides after unusually heavy rains.

But residents complain that they have received no compensation so far, according to BBC News.

The UN says the weather in Rwanda is becoming "more and more unpredictable".

The country, which relies heavily on agriculture and hydropower, is said to be highly vulnerable to climate change.

Authorities said demolishing the houses was "about saving the lives of those living in wetlands given that more rain is expected in the coming days".

About 45 people have been killed by landslides, lightning and other disasters caused by heavy rain in the past three months, according to the emergency ministry.

But while officials promised that "those with legal rights to live on the land" would receive compensation, residents have complained that this has not happened.

"My family has legally lived here for more than 40 years, we pay land taxes every year but look what there are doing to us," Immaculée Uwera told the BBC.