ActionAid prepares to support thousands of people in flood-ravaged neighbourhoods in Kinshasa, DRC

Earlier this week, heavy rains caused severe flooding in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These floods disrupted transportation and communication networks, schools, farmland, drinking water and electricity facilities, and devastated communities and other public infrastructure.

Several reports have indicated that at least 160 people have died, more than 38,000 people affected, with 10,000 houses flooded and around 280 homes collapsed, leaving many families homeless. Homes, schools and other public infrastructure were also flooded. Sections of roads linking Kinshasa to neighbouring Kongo Central province have been destroyed by landslides caused by heavy rains, a crucial road for the supply of food and other basic necessities.

ActionAid, which works in Kinshasa and other parts of the DRC, is working to support people affected by the floods.

Yakubu Saani, Director of ActionAid DRC, said:

“It's another reminder of the real impact of climate disasters on people's lives. Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless and farmers who depend on the land for food and income have had their crops and livelihoods destroyed. People are in urgent need of food, shelter and humanitarian assistance, before more lives are lost.

"ActionAid, together with its partners, is currently making efforts to provide emergency assistance in Kinshasa and is exploring needed support in other districts. We are also carrying out visits to the affected communes to assess the damage and related needs.  We are particularly concerned that disruption of local water supply will increase the risk of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera in the region.

"We are doing what we can to support those affected right now, but it is imperative that governments around the world recognise that it is people in the world's poorest communities who are hardest hit by a climate crisis they have not caused."

To contact the ActionAid Press Office media-enquiries@actionaid.org.uk by e-mail or call +44 7586107955.

Yakubu Saani, Director of ActionAid DRC is available for interview.

About ActionAid

ActionAid is a global federation that works with more than 15 million people living in more than 40 of the world's poorest countries.  We want to see a just, just and sustainable world, in which everyone enjoys the right to a dignified life and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work for social justice and gender equality and poverty eradication.