Floods in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Stark Reminder That Loss and Damage Is Happening Now
Communities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are once again facing the devastating realities of climate-induced loss and damage. In recent weeks, severe flooding in Kindu and Uvira has displaced thousands of people, destroyed homes and livelihoods, and deepened vulnerabilities in communities that have contributed the least to the climate crisis. These disasters are not isolated tragedies. They are part of a growing pattern of climate injustice unfolding across vulnerable regions of the world.
Kindu Floods: Thousands Displaced
In Kindu, recent floods have affected approximately 62,000 people, leaving more than 900 homes destroyed or severely damaged. Families have been displaced, livelihoods disrupted, and already vulnerable communities pushed further into crisis.
Emergency support is currently being provided through €125,000 in funding from the European Union, enabling the Red Cross to deliver temporary shelter, clean water, and essential healthcare services. While this assistance is critical, it addresses only the immediate humanitarian impacts of a much deeper structural problem. The scale of destruction in Kindu demonstrates the growing reality of climate-related loss and damage — impacts that go beyond the adaptation capacities of affected communities.
Uvira Under Water
On May 1, 2026, the flooding of the Kalimabenge River devastated large parts of Uvira in South Kivu Province. Entire neighbourhoods, including Nyamianda, Mal Acquis, and Kilibula, were submerged within hours. At least four people lost their lives, one child remains missing, and several others are still unaccounted for.
The human and material losses are immense:
- Nyamianda (Avenue Plage d’Or): 203 houses affected, impacting approximately 5,075 people;
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Kilibula: 108 houses damaged, affecting nearly 2,700 people.
Families lost homes, belongings, sources of income, and their sense of security overnight.
“This is not just a natural disaster; it is climate injustice.” – Jean-Paul Bya’undaombe Longye
Climate Justice Requires More Than Emergency Response
The DRC remains among the world’s lowest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet its communities are facing some of the harshest consequences of climate change. At COP27, governments agreed to establish a Loss and Damage Fund. At COP28, parties committed to operationalizing it. However, for communities in places like Kindu and Uvira, the urgency of climate impacts is moving faster than international delivery mechanisms.
Climate justice requires more than humanitarian response after disasters strike. It demands sustained international solidarity and accessible financial support that matches the scale and urgency of the crisis.
The Urgent Need to Operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund
The recent floods in the DRC underscore the urgent need for:
- Rapid and accessible disbursement of Loss and Damage finance;
- Grant-based support for affected communities;
- Direct access mechanisms for vulnerable countries and local actors;
- Long-term recovery and resilience support beyond short-term emergency aid.
Loss and Damage is not a future issue. It is a lived reality for millions of people today. Communities in Uvira, Kindu, and across the DRC cannot wait.
Written by Jean-Paul Bya’undaombe Longye