DRC flooding leaves 1,500 homeless

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Two days of torrential rains left over 1,500 people homeless and damaged hospitals, schools and churches in eastern DRC, local officials told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

Kasongo territory in Maniema province was hit by floods after days of downpours. According to a Kasongo official, Anthony Longwa, 17 schools, six churches and a pediatric unit at a local hospital were affected.

Over 20 people, mostly children, have reportedly been injured and admitted to various clinics away from where the floods struck.

Longwa said flooding victims had moved to higher ground. ''The situation is terrible. Many of the affected people are living in poor conditions in the places where they ran for safety. They lack food and other basic requirements,'' he added.

The official said the area was faced with a humanitarian disaster and called on the government to aid those affected.