The Disaster
Torrential rains in the oriental province
of Kisangani (Haut-Congo) have brought rivers in the region to their highest
level in more than thirty five years. Large parts of Kisangani, the provincial
capital, are flooded and according to local authorities some 9,000 people
have already been left homeless. The town is without electricity, the water
plant is in-operational and telecommunication systems have broken down.
The main roads in the area are cut off and only one of the two airports
is still accessible. With water levels still rising the number of victims
is likely to increase over the coming days. Several other towns in the
region including places along the Congo river in the neighbouring province
of Maniema are reported to be equally affected.
While food shortages are beginning to appear , the sanitary situation is the most preoccupying at the moment: lack of drinking water and a high risk of epidemics. The WHO has already identified a strain of cholera in the military camp.
Red Cross Action
An assessment team composed of Congolese Red Cross staff and a Federation delegate is scheduled to leave for Kisangani on Monday. The team will co-operate closely with the ICRC and NGOs already present to guarantee a well co-ordinated action. A large stock of shelter material, blankets, jerrycans, rice and high protein biscuits, financed by ECHO, is available in Kinshasa. Water and sanitation equipment can be sent in from the Federation stock in Nairobi. The assessment team will decide which exactly will be sent to Kisangani in the coming days.
Co-ordination with other international organisations like the ICRC, WHO and UNICEF is covered in Kinshasa through regular meetings, the next one is planned for Tuesday, December 30 . The Congolese Red Cross has deployed several teams of trained volunteers to provide relief to the flood victims.
Bekele Geleta
Director
Africa Department
Ann Naef
Acting Head
Appeals & Reports Service