Nairobi, Kenya
Churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo are helping victims of deadly floods and landslides who are still in dire need of humanitarian assistance, particularly in South Kivu, a province in the east of the country.
The death toll from flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall has risen to more than 440, with thousands of people still missing, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the central African country of more than 95 million people.
A general view shows the ruins of a home destroyed following rains that destroyed the remote, mountainous area and ripped through the riverside villages of Nyamukubi, Kalehe territory in South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on 9th May, 2023. PICTURE: Reuters/Djaffar Sabiti
On 4th May, the torrential rains caused rivers to overflow from their banks, wiping out entire villages, livestock, markets, crops, hospitals, churches, schools, bridges and other infrastructure. The floods and landslides in South Kivu and some parts of North Kivu provinces have left thousands of hundreds displaced.
President Felix Tshisekedi announced a day of national mourning to be observed on 8th May and sent a team of government officials to the eastern part of the country to coordinate humanitarian efforts and rescue operations.
Bishop Josué Bulambo Lembe-Lembe of the Church of Christ said the victims were in dire need of food, shelter, clothes, bedding, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils, and medical supplies.
“Our churches are providing supplies to the victims and even offering accommodation to some families with nowhere to sleep,” said Bishop Lembe who is based Bukavu, a city in the eastern DRC. “But we are appealing for more aid because the situation is so bad, with children suffering the most. The survivors most need food, shelter, and medicines.”
The Catholic Church in the country is appealing for humanitarian support from well-wishers toward people affected by floods and landslides. The bishops said the disaster had caused “loss of life and significant material damage.”
“It is with great emotion and sadness that we have received the sad news of the disasters due to the torrential rains that have fallen these days in the Province of South Kivu,” the bishops said in a 8th May statement. “We appeal to the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations for help, as well as to the solidarity of all people of good will, in favor of the victims of these disasters.”
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Tearfund, a Christian charity that partners with churches in more than 50 of the world’s poorest countries, said they were trying to save the lives of those still missing after the devastating floods and landslides. The charity said there was a need for urgent intervention to save thousands of people still waiting to be rescued in the eastern part of the country.
“It has been hard for us to access the place because floods and landslides destroyed the bridges,” said Tearfund’s DRC spokesperson Hebdavi Kyeya, noting that they finally used a boat to access the scene. “Our aim has been to try and save lives because we don’t want more people to die. I urge the government and other stakeholders to act quickly and rescue survivors still waiting for help.”
Kyeya is appealing for prayers to the victims of the floods and people of goodwill to help victims with relief items urgently.
“Let’s pray for those who have lost their loved ones and those who are still missing to be found alive,” said Kyeya. “I appeal to the international community to urgently assist victims with relief supplies because families, especially children are suffering.”
