Floods: WHO intensifies emergency response in Congo-Brazzaville as health facilities, farmlands affected

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has intensified its emergency response in Congo-Brazzaville as the central African nation struggles with one of its most severe floods in several years

The UN health body  Africa office announced $100,000 in cash support for the deployment of first responders on Thursday.

“Heavy flooding has caused widespread devastation in Congo, with nine of its 12 [regional] departments affected,” it said, adding that the floods have affected more than 336,000 Congolese, 34 health facilities, and more than 2,200 hectares of farmland.

Congo Brazzaville and the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo are struggling with heavy floods due to torrential rains and the rising of water in the Congo River to the highest levels since 1961.

The BBC quoted the Reuters news agency report, saying more than 300 people have been killed in DR Congo by floods while over 300,000 households have been displaced.

Climate change and other local factors have been identified as the main triggers of the disasters.