Healing One Hill At A Time: How Radical Terraces Protect Lives and Livelihoods in Karongi, Rwanda

Radical terraces take root

In Rwanda’s Karongi District, steep slopes and increasingly heavy rains have long put farming families at risk. Surface runoff washes away fertile topsoil, degrades farmland, and in the worst cases triggers landslides, undermining both harvests and household safety. But this picture is changing: through Water at the Heart of Climate Action (WHCA), supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, 10 hectares of radical terraces have been built across the hillsides of Rukore and Bwishyura, respectively. The terraces are engineered to slow surface runoff, retain water and soil, and protect farmland from further degradation — directly reducing the risk of erosion, flash flooding and landslides in the district’s most exposed areas.

“We are excited that through our small efforts, we have a chance to contribute to global climate change efforts. These are more than just radical terraces, we are preparing for future generations.”

Fils Habarugira, Sector Agriculture and Natural Resources Officer

Turning labour into income

The work was carried out through a cash-for-work approach, turning land protection into direct household income. More than 400 community members, over half of them women, were engaged in building the terraces, earning wages while safeguarding the very land their families depend on. Complementary support, including lime, seeds, manure, compost, agroforestry seedlings and fodder grasses, consolidates the restoration work and supports climate-smart farming.

“The approach of cash-for-work has enabled us not only to respond to our community preparedness needs, but also assisted us to have our children go back to school and meet necessary medical bills.”

Annonsiata Nyirangirimana, Ryampande Village, Rubumba Cell, Rwankuba Sector

Racing the rains

Timing matters. Forecasters expect a “super” El Niño for 2026, with above-average rainfall potentially causing heightened flood and landslide risk across the region. This poses particular concern for Rwanda’s October–December rainy season. In districts like Karongi, where steep terrain already amplifies the impact of heavy rain, this raises the stakes considerably. Investments made now, such as radical terraces and weather-informed early warning messages sensitising communities to take critical actions, are precisely the kind of anticipatory action that can reduce losses before the rains arrive, rather than responding only after damage is done.

“Through preparedness training and engaged in climate-smart agriculture and terracing, WHCA remains our only hope in anticipation of the El Niño impacts on Karongi district this year.”

Gerald Muzungu, Mayor of Karongi

While Rukore’s hillsides are still a work in progress, the radical terrace-induced shift is visible: land once left exposed to runoff and erosion is stabilised and ready for cultivation. With continued maintenance of the terraces, the planting of more indigenous trees and sustained use of climate-smart farming practices, the investment is designed to keep paying off for farmers well beyond the life of the programme. It is a remarkable example of turning a source of vulnerability into a foundation for resilience, one hillside at a time.

Credit: Sirak Temesgen, Netherlands Red Cross; Paul Rutebuka, Rwandan Red Cross; and Shaban Mawanda, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre