The Democratic Republic of Congo has been hit by numerous natural disasters in recent times, once again highlighting the vulnerability of the population to climatic hazards.
After the Kalehe disaster which killed more than 400 people, and the landslide in Bisunzu which also caused victims, two new disasters affected the locality of Katholo in the night from Wednesday to Thursday. According to local civil society, seven people died after a heavy rain that surprised the villagers, causing a landslide and endangering the lives of the population.
These dramatic events show the urgency of implementing prevention policies to strengthen the resilience of populations in the face of natural hazards in the country. It is crucial to invest in monitoring and early warning technologies, as well as effective protection systems to protect the most vulnerable in risk areas.
The state must also ensure equitable access to health services for affected populations, providing medical assistance and humanitarian aid. Local communities should also be involved in the planning and implementation of risk reduction policies, to better understand the needs and realities of each risk area.
Furthermore, this situation highlights the importance of international commitment to help developing countries deal with climate change and natural disasters. It is essential to provide financial and technical assistance to the most affected countries to deal with the emergency, but also to support them in the implementation of long-term policies to reduce disaster risks.
In an emergency, it is essential to react to these tragic events, but this must also be an opportunity to learn lessons to reduce the risks for the populations living in the areas at risk in the DRC.