The South Kivu province of the DRC is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to massive flooding and mudslides.
The government of the DRC declared Kalehe a disaster zone. One million people have been affected by the floods.
The immediate death toll is estimated at 432 people, with some of the bodies still trapped under the rubbles, some severely injured persons in the hospitals, and more than 5,000 people are missing from the landslides.
Approximately 3,000 homes were affected, of which 1,200 were destroyed, the Makelele bridge has collapsed, coupled with the eroding of the main road linking Goma to Kalehe. Women and girls are disproportionately affected with 1200 children left unaccompanied. The immediate and urgent needs are in terms of protection, health, hygiene, water and essential household items.
It should be noted that Kalehe is also a host area for displaced people, some of whom have fled the fighting between the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and the M23 in neighboring North Kivu province. In addition, cholera remains one of the major challenges in South Kivu province, which has already reported more than 1,200 suspected cases in 2023 according to official figures. In addition, the measles epidemic is taking a worrying turn in the Kalehe, with 1,098 reported cases.
What is UN Women doing on the ground?
UN Women is working with OCHA, the government and the humanitarian team on the ground to ensure coordination of actions and to ensure that women and girls receive the assistance they need. We will conduct rapid assessments of the situation of women and girls to ensure that all those working on the crisis response have up-to-date data and analysis on the gender dynamics of the crisis and its impacts.
UN Women is working with partners and other UN agencies to provide an immediate and vital response to keep women safe and provide their basic needs. This includes providing women and girls with essential household items and security kits.
How will my donation help?
Our priority is to ensure that populations and communities affected by emergencies, especially women and girls, receive effective and timely humanitarian assistance. Your support will enable UN Women to reach more women and girls in the DRC with the emergency assistance they need to cope with the disaster. Your contribution can make a difference to empower the resilience of women and girls.
Donate today.
- $50 can provide a woman with essential household items.
- $100 can provide a woman-headed family with non-food items and safety materials.
- $150 can allow us to offer secure livelihoods to women and girls affected by the crisis.
Photo Credit: UNOCHA