** Gbadolite: Between despair and resilience after the flood of the Mobayi-Mbongo ** central
The situation in Gbadolite, chief town of North-Ubangi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has seriously deteriorated since the flood on October 23, 2024 at the Mobayi-Mbongo hydroelectric power station. This event not only plunged the city into darkness, but also sparked a humanitarian crisis with undeniable repercussions on the health and socio-economic life of the inhabitants.
** A disaster with multiple consequences **
The flood of Mobayi-Mbongo, located about thirty kilometers from Gbadolite, left the equipment of the submerged power station, resulting in a total stop in electricity production. This disaster is of capital importance in a country where access to energy is already limited, and where power cuts have become a daily reality for millions of Congolese. The efforts of the National Electricity Company (SNEL) to find equipment has not yet been enough to relaunch the activity of the power station, and the alternator of its group No. 2 poses major difficulties, hampering the resumption of exploitation.
The testimonies of the inhabitants underline the magnitude of the crisis. At the Gbadolite General Reference Hospital, the service of Morgue, in particular, faces unpublished challenges. Many bodies are extracted in decomposition, testifying to insufficient management of conservation due to power cuts. This situation raises worrying questions about public health, while the inhabitants express their indignation in the face of this alarming reality. In addition, essential services such as the operating room, maternity and intensive care services are not spared, and deaths that have occurred for lack of electricity reveal an already fragile health system, now tested by a multiple crisis.
** A call to responsibility and action **
In a context where citizens’ confidence in their institutions can vacillate, it is crucial to assess the response of local and national authorities. Why was the power station not better protected against such disasters, and what preventive measures could have been put in place to mitigate the impacts of a possible flood?
It is essential to initiate a collective reflection on energy infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where electricity is an economic development issue. How to rebuild a modern hydroelectric power station which can withstand climatic hazards while providing essential energy to populations? How to improve the resilience of the health system to ensure that care services are not as directly affected by digital failures?
There are many challenges, but the resilience of the inhabitants of Gbadolite could also offer solutions. Beyond emergency aid and occasional interventions, a long-term plan is necessary to restore confidence and ensure lasting access to electricity and health care.
** To a renewed future **
The commitment of governments, NGOs and international organizations will be crucial in the coming months. The international community could intensify its assistance in order to support raising efforts. This could go through training programs, exchange of good practices in terms of infrastructure and resource management, as well as encouraging energy diversification.
In the end, the current situation in Gbadolite illustrates the vulnerabilities of a complex system, where the failure of a vector like electricity has cascade repercussions on the company. This reminds everyone of the importance of approaching these questions with seriousness and humanity, and underlines the need for a constructive dialogue involving all stakeholders. How can we move forward together to a future where such tragedies could be avoided, and where the life of the Congolese could be improved significantly? This debate is not only legitimate, but crucial for the future of this region.