The World Health Organisation (WHO) is amplifying its emergency response efforts in Congo-Brazzaville as the nation grapples with one of its most devastating floods in decades.
On Thursday, WHO’s Africa office announced the allocation of $100,000 for the deployment of first responders to address the urgent situation.
“Heavy flooding has resulted in widespread devastation in Congo, impacting nine out of its 12 regional departments,” the statement said. The floods have affected more than 336,000 Congolese citizens, 34 health facilities, and over 2,200 hectares of farmland.
Both Congo-Brazzaville and its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo, are contending with severe floods triggered by heavy rains and the Congo River’s water levels reaching the highest point since 1961.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, over 300 people have lost their lives, and more than 300,000 households have been displaced due to the floods, as reported by Reuters news agency, citing the social affairs ministry.
Various factors contribute to flooding, but the warming atmosphere induced by climate change heightens the likelihood of extreme rainfall events.