Heavy rain death toll in Congo rises to 443; heavy equipment needed: UN - GulfToday

Heavy rain death toll in Congo rises to 443; heavy equipment needed: UN

  • 24 May 2023
Congo-rains-May24-main1-750

A general view shows the ruins of a home destroyed following rains that destroyed the remote in DR Congo. Reuters

With a continuing emergency response to the heavy rains in Congo, the official death toll has reached 443, UN humanitarians said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that hundreds of people were injured and many are missing from the early May rains that triggered deadly flooding and landslides. Rescuers and responders urgently call for heavy equipment to excavate and bury bodies, mainly in the Kalehe territory of eastern South Kivu province, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Other top priorities are shelter and relocation of survivors, food assistance and fixing roads and bridges so we can reach people affected," OCHA added.

READ MORE

Seven bodies recovered after Chinese vessel capsized in Indian Ocean

Roof collapses at school in Thailand killing 7 sheltering from rain

More than 3,000 houses and schools serving more than 9,000 children were damaged, the humanitarian office said.

At least 17,000 people received assistance since May 10, including food, health care, shelter and psychosocial support, OCHA said. Humanitarians provided more than 50,000 litre of clean water daily to affected communities.

The UN humanitarian coordinator in Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, allocated $3 million from the Humanitarian Fund to strengthen continuing operations, the humanitarian office added.

Indo-Asian News Service

 

Related articles

Death toll in Indian landslide hits 22 as rescuers find more bodies

The landslide occurred on Thursday night in the remote mountain hamlet of Irshalwadi, about 60 km (37 miles) from Mumbai, flattening several houses.

22 Jul 2023

20 bodies recovered from DR Congo river after ferry blaze

The boat, which was transporting dozens of passengers as well as goods, caught fire overnight Monday in Tshimbinda, a village near Tshikapa, the capital of the central province of Kasai.

28 Dec 2019

Kabul suicide attack death toll reaches 30

The number of injured in the attack that took place near the Kawsar educational centre on Saturday evening in the Pul-e-Khoshk area has also increased to more than 70, TOLO News quoted the official as saying.

25 Oct 2020

Landslide in Congo kills at least 17

The disaster took place along the Congo River in the town of Lisal in northwestern Mongala province, according to Matthieu Mole, president of the civil society organisation Forces Vives. The victims lived in homes that were built at the foot of a mountain.

18 Sep 2023

Most Popular Stories

Other Articles

Sharjah activates WhatsApp number 065015161 for flood-affected residents

The team was directed to receive requests via the WhatsApp application through the number 065015161, and to send the data to the affected families, based on which urgent measures can be taken.

11 hours ago

UAE President receives Australian Minister for Defence, Albanian Minister of Interior

During the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed and Richard Marles discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries and opportunities to develop ties, especially in defence and military affairs.

13 hours ago

Sharjah adopts new measures to deal with natural disasters in future

The council has also granted commercial and economic establishments the opportunity to postpone the payment of fees related to renewal and violations for one month. This takes into account the damages they suffered from heavy rain.

13 hours ago

Dubai launches community initiative to support people affected by floods

The aim of the initiative is enhance the goals of the “Afflicted Support Committee”, which was formed under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, to support those affected in Dubai, and allowing private sector institutions, businessmen and all members of society to make contributions.

14 hours ago