ActionAid prepares to assist thousands of residents in flood-ravaged neighborhoods in Kinshasa, DRC

Editorial

Earlier this week, heavy rains caused severe flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

These floods disrupted transportation and communication networks, schools, farmland, water and electricity supplies, and devastated communities and other public infrastructure.

Some reports said at least 160 people died, more than 38,000 people were affected, 10,000 houses were flooded and about 280 houses collapsed, leaving many families homeless.

Homes, schools and other public infrastructure were also flooded. Roads connecting Kinshasa with neighboring Kongo Central province were destroyed by landslides caused by heavy rains, an important route for delivering food and other basic necessities.

ActionAid, which operates in Kinshasa and other areas of the DRC, works to assist those affected by floods.

Akubu Saani, Director of ActionAid DRC, said: “It’s another reminder of the real impact of climate disasters on people’s lives. Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless and farmers who depend on the land for food and income have had their crops and livelihoods destroyed. People are in urgent need of food, shelter and humanitarian assistance, before more lives are lost.

“ActionAid, together with its partners, is currently making efforts to provide emergency assistance in Kinshasa and is exploring needed support in other districts. We are also carrying out visits to the affected communes to assess the damage and related needs.  We are particularly concerned that disruption of local water supply will increase the risk of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera in the region.

“We are doing what we can to support those affected right now, but it is imperative that governments around the world recognise that it is people in the world’s poorest communities who are hardest hit by a climate crisis they have not caused.”