Democratic Republic of the Congo - Flash Update #2: Floods caused by heavy rains in Kinshasa, 16 December 2022

On 15 December, a joint mission of the DRC's Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action, and National Solidarity and OCHA visited several neighborhoods of Kinshasa to assess the damages caused by the heavy rain that fell on the night of 12 to 13 December.

As of 16 December, the Congolese authorities reported that at least 169 people have died; around 30 were injured and receiving treatment in hospitals across the city and at least 280 houses were destroyed. Mont-Ngafula and Ngaliema are the hardest hit areas by the heavy downpour which has affected around 38,000 people across the city, according to the Government.

The assessment team witnessed that work was ongoing in Mont-Ngafula to repair a section of the main road used for commerce between Kinshasa to Kongo Central. The Government has made the repair a priority so that Kinshasa markets are not disrupted.

Today 16 December, the Minister of Humanitarian Action, Modeste Mutinga Mutuishayi, met with the Humanitarian Country Team to discuss the situation. The Minister called on humanitarian actors to support the humanitarian response. During the meeting, it was agreed that OCHA will contact the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) to request the deployment of an emergency team to assist the Government in assessing the needs and coordinating the response. Thus far, the authorities have expressed a need for food, access to medical care, logistical support, and financial assistance to the victims.

Today marks the end of three day of national mourning in memory of those deceased. The Government has confirmed that it will organize a dignified and secure burial of those who have lost their lives.

In addition to Kinshasa, the provinces of Equateur, Maniema, Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, and Tshopo have recorded floods since October, leading to loss of lives and damages to houses, infrastructures, and farmland.

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For more information:

Carla Martinez, Head of Office, OCHA-RDC, +243817061223, martinez14@un.org
Yvon Edoumou, Public Information Officer, +243819889136, edoumou@un.org
Information products on the humanitarian situation in DRC are available on www.humanitarianresponse.info or www.reliefweb.int