### Environmental Crisis in Kabinda: A Call to Action Beyond Income
**Kabinda**, the capital of **Lomami** province, is becoming a case study to illustrate the environmental challenges facing many cities in Central Africa. The visit of Governor **Iron-Van Kalombo Musoko** on 15 January 2025 highlighted the persistent threat of ravines, which not only endanger infrastructure but also weaken the lives of local communities. However, beyond the immediate problems, an even broader issue is emerging: ecological resilience and the urgent need to strengthen environmental management capacities.
#### Erosion That Tells of Efficiency
Recent on-site assessments have revealed six new erosion hotspots in previously stabilized areas. The example of the Yakasongo ravine, which was the subject of stabilization work in 2023, raises a crucial question about the sustainability of infrastructure interventions. Why do these efforts, although acclaimed, seem to be reduced to nothing in the face of new bad weather? A study by the **World Meteorological Organization** shows that climate variations exacerbate the risks of erosion. These variations, linked to increasing urbanization and deforestation, argue in favor of integrated resource management that should take these dynamics into account.
#### The Social and Economic Consequences of a Controlled Disaster
But the collapse of infrastructure is not limited to material loss. Schools, roads and houses are not simply elements of the urban fabric; they are places of life, work and education. The economic dynamics of Kabinda is largely based on these basic structures. According to the **United Nations Development Programme**, preventive action can reduce the costs leading to damage by up to 50%. Thus, investing in infrastructure resilience could not only save human lives, but also avoid long-term economic impoverishment.
#### Alternatives: Towards Sustainable Management
Existing technical solutions, as indicated by the provincial director of the **Office des Voiries et Drainage**, require funding, but they must also be supported by sustainable development strategies. In a context where resources are limited, discussing public-private partnerships can be beneficial. Initiatives such as the development of sustainable drainage systems and reforestation could be not only ecological, but also financially lucrative in the long term..
Compared to successful initiatives elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, such as the **rainwater sanitation projects in Addis Ababa**, it appears that a community-based approach, which involves citizens in designing solutions, has shown significantly more positive results. In Kabinda, activating communities could not only strengthen their resilience but also seal a social bond, making the response to environmental crises more effective.
#### Call for Collective Action
The governor’s plea underlines the importance of concerted action between the provincial and central governments. However, it is imperative that this mobilization is also extended to civil society and the private sector. The case of the Kabinda ravines is not isolated; it echoes a larger societal challenge, that of climate change, which threatens to destabilize entire regions.
Transforming ravines from threats into opportunities for sustainable development can also involve the creation of educational programs on the preservation of environmental resources and risk reduction. We need to build collective consciousness and commitment to sustainability.
The situation in Kabinda is an urgent symbol, and its resolution could well enrich the debate on environmental crisis management in Africa. Instead of viewing ravines as mere geographical degradations, let us position them as catalysts for social and environmental change, revealing human vulnerabilities in the face of today’s challenges. Ultimately, each eroded ravine could tell a story of opportunity; provided we collectively commit to a more resilient future.