Caritas Congo Appeals for Humanitarian Aid for Thousands “in dire need” after Floods

Mr. Nsangamina says they “are launching a heartfelt appeal to men and women of good will, to humanitarian organizations, social and charitable works, to come to the aid of these flood victims.” 

“The needs in this kind of situation are almost unknown. The needs of these people are multi-sectoral, because when they fled or left their homes, they left everything behind,” Caritas Congo Coordinator continues. 

Credit: Caritas Congo Asbl

He reports that two teams from Caritas Congo Asbl “carried out a field visit in the Districts of Limete and Ngaliema, in the city-province of Kinshasa, to ascertain the situation of the flood-stricken population.”

The findings, Mr. Nsangamina says, showed that “many households are affected.”

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Credit: Caritas Congo Asbl

“The floods have forced many to move, in the hope of saving their lives. But as they fled, they forgot everything, they left everything behind. Some were surprised during the night, and others, those who still had time to move, managed to grab something,” the Congolese Caritas official reports in the video recording shared with ACI Africa.

He continues, “Some of the victims are with their families, others in churches, others in schools, others with friends. Obviously, with the overcrowding that exists in the provinces, you can imagine the conditions in which they live.”

Credit: Caritas Congo Asbl

The video message he shared also carries testimonies of victims of the deadly floods in DRC. 

A resident of the Kinsuka-Pêcheur district in the District of Ngaliema is seen lamenting “the extent of the damage” that he says “has seriously affected schools and a large number of private homes.”

Credit: Caritas Congo Asbl

“In some parts of the capital, people are getting around by boat,” he recounts.

On her part, Mamie, another flood victim, says that her house was swallowed up by the waters a few days after her husband's funeral. 

Credit: Caritas Congo Asbl

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“My neighbor had helped me move into another house a few meters from mine. Alas, I've been attacked by the river again. It's all in the water,” she says, referring to her new home that has also been flooded.

For Mubunda Remi, another flood victim, it has become difficult to find food as provisions have been washed away, he shares in the video recording Caritas Congo Asbl shared with ACI Africa February 7.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.