62 Dead, 50 Missing Following Flooding in Eastern Congo

Devastating floods in South Kivu province, DRC, have killed 62, left 50 missing. Rescue efforts hampered; Red Cross is the sole humanitarian group active. The crisis adds to ongoing humanitarian struggles amid regional conflict.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is grappling with a devastating humanitarian crisis following severe floods that have claimed at least 62 lives, with an additional 50 individuals reported missing. The disaster predominantly affected villages along Lake Tanganyika in the South Kivu province. The catastrophic flooding was triggered by torrential rains that occurred early Friday morning, inundating the village of Kasaba and leaving a trail of destruction.

Witnesses have reported that rising waters began engulfing Kasaba around 5 a.m. local time (0300 GMT). The situation has been exacerbated by the flooding washing away homes and disrupting communications in the region. Local authorities are now assessing the aftermath, but officials say rescue efforts are facing significant challenges.

Theophile Walulika Muzaliwa, health minister for South Kivu province, spoke to Arab News and highlighted the difficulties faced in conducting rescue operations. He noted, “Sector chiefs, village chiefs, and locality chiefs, who are also members of the local government, are on site. The only humanitarian organization currently present is the Red Cross. It is not possible to give an assessment as body searches are continuing.”

This tragic event comes just weeks after similar torrential rains resulted in 33 fatalities in Kinshasa, the nation’s capital. The infrastructure of the country has been severely compromised in recent months. On top of this natural disaster, ongoing conflict has stretched the humanitarian response exceedingly thin.

The situation in Eastern Congo remains dire, as conflict between government forces and armed groups escalated in February, worsening conditions for civilians. The United Nations has labeled this area as facing one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. With tensions mounting and emergency services stretched, the aftermath of the floods poses further challenges for recovery efforts.

In summary, the recent floods in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo have brought about a significant humanitarian tragedy, with at least 62 dead and 50 missing. The search and rescue operations have faced substantial hurdles, further complicated by ongoing regional conflicts. The combination of natural disasters and persistent violence has led to a dire situation for many in the region, highlighting the pressing need for humanitarian aid and relief efforts.

Original Source: www.aa.com.tr