**Devastating fire in Nyabibwe-Centre, South Kivu: 37 homes reduced to ashes**
Tuesday, December 24 will remain etched in the memory of the inhabitants of Nyabibwe-Centre, in the Kalehe territory, in South Kivu. A tragedy of unimaginable magnitude struck this peaceful community, leaving behind a landscape of desolation. Thirty-seven houses, both residential and commercial, were engulfed in flames, leaving entire families without shelter or means of subsistence.
According to initial information, the fire was started by an energy storage battery, a paradoxical symbol of modernity that caused a disaster of rare violence. The fire ravaged sixteen homes, taking with it all the belongings and cherished memories of their inhabitants. Twenty-one commercial houses were also reduced to ashes, resulting in the irreparable loss of goods and work tools for many families dependent on their businesses.
In this context of distress and disarray, the appeal launched by Delphin Birimbi, president of the coordination office of the Kalehe Territorial Consultation Framework for Civil Society, resonates as a cry for solidarity and general mobilization. The provincial and national governments, local and international partners, and all people of good will are called upon to come to the aid of this devastated population, which is facing an emergency humanitarian situation.
Beyond the material and economic losses, this brutal fire raises broader questions about the precariousness of living conditions in certain regions of South Kivu, about the fragile cohabitation between modernity and tradition, and about the vulnerability of populations to the hazards of life. It reminds us of the urgent need to strengthen risk prevention measures, invest in the safety of homes and infrastructure, and above all, cultivate a spirit of solidarity and mutual support within our communities.
During this holiday season, when the hearts of many Congolese are turned towards celebration and sharing, let us remember that true generosity often manifests itself in the darkest moments, when our brothers and sisters need our help and compassion the most. May we all come together to support the victims of this fire and offer them a message of hope and solidarity. Our ability to rise together from such trials is the true measure of our humanity.