DRC: WFP and World Vision Distributes Energy Biscuits to DRC Flood Survivors

• Dead bodies still being found under muddy rubble
• WFP and World Vision begin to provide high-energy biscuits to over 18,000 affected people
• People still in shock after floods and landslides killed over 400 people, many more still missing

Friday, 12th May 2023, Kinshasa, DRC – The World Food Programme (WFP) and World Vision have begun distributing of high- energy biscuits to 18, 453 survivors of floods and landslides that have killed more than 400 people, with many more still missing. A team searching through the muddy rubble is still finding bodies.

The death toll in Kalehe, a territory in the South Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, continues to rise, said international NGO World Vision.

"We were at a food distribution site and saw bodies being recovered from the surrounding areas. The extent of the devastation is incomprehensible,” says World Vision’s East Zone Director David Munkley.  

“A week ago, the Nyamukubi and Chishova rivers overflowed and washed away everything in their path, and this is barely 6 months since we responded to related crises, but of lower magnitude” he added.

Initially, humanitarian access to some areas was almost impossible as the main roads to the affected areas in Bushushu, Nyamukubi and Rambira villages were impassable due to the rains. Fortunately, some parts can now be reached to allow humanitarian interventions to relieve affected communities. 

“We call on the international community to help us meet the needs of the affected communities, particularly in terms of food, water, health and psychosocial support,” said Mr. Munkley.  In addition to partnering with WFP in distributing food to the most vulnerable, World Vision will provide the much-needed water, sanitation and hygiene kits.

Unfortunately, we are witnessing a very worrying phenomenon. Climate change is causing flooding and landslides here and in many other locations in DRC, such as Gemena, where 45 of World Vision's sponsored children and their families are affected. 

"Those least responsible for climate change are the ones suffering the most. Lives are being lost here, and the rest of the world cannot stand by and watch as regular floods, landslides, and severe weather incidents kill people, including children, and wipe out years of invested development efforts,” says Mrs Aline Napon World Vision’s National Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The humanitarian community, government, donors and key stakeholders need to put more anticipatory programming in place to address these climate-related challenges. The people of DRC are suffering because of climate change. The global community has a responsibility to address this,” said Mrs  Napon.

Note: Statistics have been drawn from UNOCHA, and the local coordination team in Kalehe. 

SPOKESPEOPLE AVAILABLE

National Director: Aline Napon  -Aline_Napon@wvi.org 

SHR Director: Patrick Saah – Patrick_Saah@wvi.org 

East Zone Director: David Munkley – David_Munkley@wvi.org