Kinshasa, DR Congo — The Congo River has swelled to its highest level in over six decades, leaving thousands of families homeless and struggling to survive. 💔
In a makeshift camp on the outskirts of Kinshasa, father-of-three, Cyprien Seka, watches his baby sleep on the floor of a crowded tent. He wonders if they'll ever return home. “It's been almost a month since we left because of the flooding… We are suffering,” he shares.
Around 500,000 people have been forced to flee as torrential rains wreak havoc across 16 of DR Congo's 26 provinces. The floods have claimed at least 221 lives, destroyed homes, and increased the risk of diseases like malaria and typhoid.
Grandmother Pansel Moto Pamba, 55, describes the dire conditions: “The night here is horrible. There are many people spread out, crowded… it's suffocating, you cannot breathe.” She shows the scrap of matting she sleeps on each night. 💤
With some areas still underwater, about 2,400 people are crammed into the camp at a Catholic church compound. Many sleep outside due to a lack of space.
Experts point to deforestation as a major factor worsening the impact of heavy rains. Hydrologist Raphaël Tshimanga from the University of Kinshasa warns, “The fear is enormous for Kinshasa, which receives the cumulative flow of the entire Congo basin.” 🌳
DR Congo had the second-highest rate of tree-cover loss in 2022 after Brazil. This loss exacerbates flood risk as forests play a crucial role in absorbing rainwater.
“What we've seen is likely to get worse,” says Tshimanga. “We've entered a wet period when we're likely to see more of these rare events.”
The future remains uncertain for the 83 million people living near major rivers in the Congo basin. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, the need for improved flood management and environmental protection has never been more urgent. 🌍
Our thoughts are with the people of DR Congo during this challenging time. 🤲
Reference(s):
Thousands homeless after DR Congo's worst floods in 60 years
cgtn.com
