In Congo, heavy rains and flooding have struck several provinces, with the capital Kinshasa among the hardest hit. 11 health zones in Kinshasa have been impacted, with more than 5,000 people displaced. At least 72 people have died, and 170 have been injured due to torrential rains and resulting floods.
Tanganyika and South Kivu provinces, in the eastern part of the country, have also reported significant damage. Emergency shelters and care centers have been established in Kinshasa’s stadiums. Continued heavy rainfall has been forecast for the coming days, raising fears of further destruction in the city of 17 million, already vulnerable due to rapid and unregulated urban expansion.
According to the latest reports, 11 health zones in Kinshasa have been affected. More than 5,000 people have been forced from their homes, while at least 72 lives have been lost and 170 individuals have sustained injuries due to the relentless downpour and subsequent flooding, Xinhua news agency reported.
The eastern provinces of Tanganyika and South Kivu have also experienced considerable damage. Local officials are continuing efforts to evaluate the full scale of the humanitarian crisis and determine urgent needs.
To support those affected in Kinshasa, emergency shelters and medical care centres have been set up in various stadiums across the city. However, the country’s largest venue, Stade des Martyrs, is already sheltering more than 4,500 displaced people. Authorities have launched a decongestion plan to relocate residents to other facilities.
The Ministry of Health has reiterated its dedication to improving coordination across sectors to deliver timely and efficient responses to both health and humanitarian emergencies.
With the rainy season in the DRC lasting from November to May, forecasts predict continued heavy rainfall in the days ahead. There is growing concern about further damage in Kinshasa, a city of 17 million that remains highly susceptible due to unregulated and rapid urban growth.