In the past few days, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have been hit by flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rainfall. The result has been catastrophic, with the destruction of homes, schools, hospitals, and bridges, which has caused heavy human and material loss. According to reports, at least 176 people have lost their lives in DRC, with the South Kivu province severely affected. The settlements of Bushushu and Nyamukubi have been severely hit. In Rwanda, 130 people have died, and 5, 000 homes have been destroyed. This disaster has left a trail of displacement, with 230,000 people affected in DRC alone.
News agencies have indicated that this is not the first time Eastern DRC has been hit by floods and landslides. Throughout the years, this area has been prone to flash floods and landslides, sometimes resulting in loss of lives. More than 100 people were reported missing back in October 2014, with more than 700 houses destroyed in South Kivu. The situation was such that the scope of the disaster left the regional government official, Thomas Bakenge, lost for words. He called for urgent assistance, pointing that the level of destruction was enormous and that the disaster left “absolutely nothing left here.”
The flooding in Rwanda and Kenya this week has further highlighted the dangers posed by natural disasters caused by climate change. Several other reports have shown that flooding and landslides regularly occur in these regions. Vital Muhini, an elected official in Kalehe, a town in DRC’s South Kivu province, described the flooding caused by the torrential rain as “devastating human and material damage.”
The United Nations have warned that climate change is making the situation worse, making such events even more frequent, resulting in flash floods and landslides. According to some experts, deforestation in such regions is accelerating the situation’s impact, negatively affecting the ability of the environment to cope with the rainfall.
In conclusion, the situation in DRC and Rwanda shows the severe impact natural disasters caused by climate change can have on human and material resources. It highlights the need for urgent assistance, particularly from governments in those regions and other international agencies. This aid will help mitigate the impact by considering the environmental and social consequences of the situation.
