Status: 12/14/2022 8:21 am
More than 100 people died in floods in the Congolese capital Kinshasa. Many houses were destroyed. President Tshisekedi blamed climate change and called for more international support.
More than 100 people have died in flooding in the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa. Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde said it was still looking for bodies. Dozens of people were injured.
Landslides triggered by heavy rain destroyed houses and apartments, especially in low-lying areas of the metropolis on the Congo River, the government said. Much of the damage was to buildings that were built without permits.
Countless main roads in the center of Kinshasa were also under water. Like many major African cities, the capital is struggling with inadequate infrastructure and sewage systems.
Tshisekedi: Those who cause climate change must help
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi blamed climate change for what happened. He was visiting Washington at the time of the floods. There, at a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he criticized the fact that his country was not receiving sufficient support from the international community in the fight against the effects of climate change.
It’s about the states “that pollute the environment and cause the disastrous consequences in our countries,” said Tshisekedi. These polluters would have to help those who do not have the means to protect themselves from climate change.
Huge population growth in Kinshasa
Most recently, around 40 people died in Kinshasa in November 2019 in floods and landslides as a result of heavy rain. About 15 million people live in the city. Kinshasa has experienced enormous population growth in recent years. Many people live in makeshift houses on slopes prone to flooding. Sewage and rainwater are not adequately disposed of in the city.