The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) observed a day of national mourning on May 8th in remembrance of the victims of the tragic flooding and landslides in the Kalehe territory of South Kivu. The official death toll has risen to around 400, leaving relatives devastated.
Several villages were submerged, houses washed away, and fields destroyed as rivers burst their banks due to heavy rainfall. In response, Kinshasa announced on Friday that a government mission would be sent to support the provincial government in managing the disaster.
Medical charity, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), confirmed that they dispatched an emergency team to the area on Saturday. This disaster comes just two days after floods claimed at least 131 lives and destroyed thousands of homes in neighbouring Rwanda.
Victims on the ground are in dire need of essentials. According to Mr. Bakenga, the provincial government has provided assistance, including a boatload of food, tarpaulins, and medicines.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, highlighted that these events serve as another example of the accelerating effects of climate change and the dramatic consequences for countries not contributing to global warming.
Image Credit: Photo by Chris Gallagher on Unsplash
