Deadly landslides and floods in DRC

Dire need for immediate response

In some areas, it’s estimated that up to 80 per cent of the population has been affected.

The markets that provide food supplies no longer exist. Drinking water sources and hygiene facilities, such as latrines, have been destroyed. The main national road to access many of the most affected areas has been cut off.

Recovery of bodies has been extremely difficult, and in one area over a hundred bodies remained floating on the river by Monday.

There are currently no sites set up to provide shelter or emergency provision of food and water for the thousands of people who have been displaced or affected.

‘The situation is terrible,’ says Hebdavi Kyeya, Tearfund’s Country Director for Tearfund in DRC.

Urgent needs

Humanitarian agencies, like Tearfund, are looking at ways to respond as the need is great.

The rainy season continues and the risk of further flooding persists. People who have been displaced need access to things like shelter, food, clean water, hygiene facilities, clothing  and counselling support after the devastating loss and trauma that many have witnessed and experienced in the last few days.

The local church is already helping to bring comfort to people by sharing messages of comfort and consolation and by listening to and praying with people. They are also helping by organising fundraising for immediate support for those who have been worst affected.

ITV News covered the situation and spoke to Tearfund's Country Director, Hebdavi Kyeya.

Climate crisis

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offered his condolences to the victims of the ‘catastrophic floods’ and said: ‘This is yet another illustration of accelerating climate change and its disastrous impact on countries that have done nothing to contribute to global warming.’

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