KINSHASA - Unprecedented flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has left more than 350,000 people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, the UN aid coordination office OCHA said on Friday.
Some 1.8 million people have been impacted by torrential downpours that have dumped double the usual amount of rainfall on the Congo, impacting nine out of the country’s 12 departments.
In the three weeks since the government in Brazzaville declared an emergency, the floods have destroyed or damaged 34 health facilities, 120 schools and over 64,000 houses.
Many villages can only be reached by boat or canoe, said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke, who appealed for $26 million for basic support including shelter, food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene.
A total of $3.6 million from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has already been allocated to the emergency.
But, much more is needed for the people of the Congo due to the destruction of arable land, fruit trees, fishing gear and livestock, Mr. Laerke said.
