** Kinshasa under waters: a predictable disaster and lessons to be learned **
On April 4, 2024, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was struck by torrential rains leading to a catastrophe scenario: massive floods, murderous landslides and thousands of people at the mercy of the elements. Beyond human losses, which tragically reached at least ten victims, this event highlights deeper problems of town planning, disaster management and community engagement.
### A disaster announced
The torrential rains of this period are far from unprecedented. Kinshasa, bordered by rivers and areas with high urban density, knows similar episodes each year. However, the capital does not seem ready to face increasingly frequent extreme weather events due to climate change. A study by the World Bank has shown that urban floods could cost up to 1% of the GDP of developing countries by 2030 if urgent measures are not taken.
The case of Kinshasa is emblematic of chaotic urbanization. Indeed, the illegal occupation of sensitive areas, such as Jeancy-Paul’s investigation into the Shekina church, has devastating consequences. These constructions, often carried out without any environmental impact analysis, obstruct the natural ways of rivers, exacerbating floods. Strict regulation and proactive urban planning are essential to avoid such tragedies in the future.
## Reveting testimonies
The poignant stories of the inhabitants underline another painful reality: the vulnerability of populations in the face of natural disasters. Belinda, whose story evokes a fierce struggle to find a shelter, highlights the lack of rescue infrastructure and the absence of preventive measures. Images of distraught pedestrians, trying to cross submerged roads, resonate as a cry of alarm in the face of the ineffectiveness of public services in terms of prevention and crisis management.
The absence of an effective alert system increases the situation. Inadequate or non -existent drainage infrastructures in many districts add a tragic dimension to this crisis. This recalls the urgent need to invest in resilient infrastructure systems, capable of dealing with extreme situations.
### The extent of the disaster: a necessary evaluation
Analysis of human and material losses also raises essential questions. In a country where the poverty index is alarming, the cost of losses evokes the need for proactive risk management. The government’s declaration, for example, is expected to inform citizens about the state of the aid, but it is crucial to also set up compensation mechanisms for affected families.
A study by the National Institute of DRC Statistics highlights that more than 26% of Congolese live below the poverty line, thus accentuating the impact of a disaster like this on the most vulnerable. In this context, the support of non -governmental organizations and the international community could play a key role in assistance to victims and in reconstruction efforts.
### The future: redefine town planning and solidarity
The upheaval caused by the bad weather in Kinshasa should not be a simple parenthesis in the news, but rather a starting point to rethink local town planning. By encouraging the construction of buildings resilient to floods, as well as the rehabilitation of public space, Kinshasa could become a model of adaptation to climate change.
In addition, community solidarity, as has shown the efforts of the inhabitants to help their neighbors, is a headlight of hope in the middle of the disaster. The establishment of neighborhood committees to manage crises and ensure communication could strengthen this spirit of solidarity.
### Conclusion
Floods in Kinshasa, like other natural disasters, should not be considered fatalities. Rather, they raise challenges to be met to build a more resilient company in the face of climatic vagaries. The government, NGOs and the community must work together to transform this tragedy into an opportunity for learning and evolution. The solutions exist, they require above all the courage to act. Kinshasa, with its rivers and its human potential, deserves sustainable and thoughtful management in order to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.