South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo was recently affected by floods which caused the death of at least 50 students. Villages in Kalehe territory were particularly affected and several schools were affected. Finalists from 18 schools were to pass the dissertation at the Bushushu Institute center but the tests had to be relocated to the EP Kaboma following the tragedy.
The students and authorities of the Bushushu Institute are in shock. Several bodies were stored in the school premises, transformed into a morgue. The search for other bodies continues and the current death toll is over 400. Hundreds of people are still missing and students and their families are traumatized.
In addition to the human losses, the organization and the passing of the out-of-session state exams were disrupted. Students showed up to exam halls under stress and had items late. Children have lost their parents and are now orphans. School officials are calling on the government to take care of the affected students.
Beyond the sadness, this event highlights the urgency of taking into account the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable populations, especially children. It is also important to note the disruptions that these events can have on daily life, in particular on the organization of education. Faced with this situation, it is essential to carry out awareness campaigns to reassure children and their parents, and support affected students to enable them to continue their education in good conditions.