Ottis Manyoba
In response to recent widespread flooding in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States government, through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), has provided $2 million to address the most urgent needs of flood-affected populations in North Ubangi and Tshopo provinces.
Through ACTED, a nongovernmental organisation, and in close collaboration with Congolese authorities, these funds aim to provide assistance to a total of 7,000 affected households — an estimated 44,800 people — in the two provinces with essential household items and shelter materials.
“This includes, but is not limited to, food and livelihood assistance, as well as water and sanitation support to ensure access to safe drinking water. ACTED will also mobilize its research initiative, REACH, to conduct data analysis and post-disaster impact mapping for government and humanitarian responders to improve disaster preparedness for future flooding shocks,” read a statement by the DRC’s US Embassy.
Exceptional rains have caused the Congo River to rise by more than 20 feet (approximately six metres) to its highest level since 1961, resulting in widespread flooding in 17 of the DRC’s 26 provinces as of mid-January 2024.
According to the DRC government, the flooding has resulted in at least 300 deaths and affected approximately 430,000 families with an estimated 2 million individuals. North Ubangi and Tshopo provinces are among the most impacted, with more than 580,000 and 140,000 individuals affected, respectively.
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The Embassy added, “This effort demonstrates the United States government’s commitment to providing assistance to the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach communities in the DRC.”
The USAID’s much needed assistance comes after a new assessment joint UN-Government assessment conducted between 19 and 24 January indicated that more than 520,000 people are in need life-saving assistance following severe flooding in country.
The assessment also found that since the floods started in October, nine of the country’s 12 departments are now affected with the Department of Likouala, in the north-east of the country, worst impacted, with nearly 350,000 people in need of humanitarian aid.
Access to areas affected by the flooding remains challenging, many villages can only be reached by boat. People affected have said their main needs are food, shelter and medical care.
The assessment also estimates that 5,000 hectares of land have been flooded.
The DRC government, with the support of UN agencies on the ground, is mobilized and providing food, emergency shelter and hygiene kits, among others. Medical teams have also been deployed for epidemiological surveillance and treatment.
On 17 January, the Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, allocated $3.6 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support the response.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ (OCHA) spokesperson, Jens Laerke, appealed for $26 million for basic support including shelter, food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene.
Laerke said, “Much more is needed for the people of the Congo due to the destruction of arable land, fruit trees, fishing gear and livestock.”
