The Republic of Congo declared a state of humanitarian emergency due to flooding induced by more than a month of heavy rains, according to media reports.
The government has reportedly announced the allocation of a $4 million emergency fund to assist victims of the disaster and mitigate the consequences of flooding in several regions.
A total of 36 districts and over 360 villages across the country were inundated, affecting over 320,000 individuals. At least 17 people died and six remain missing, media reported.
In the neighboring DRC, floods and mudslides also killed at least 22 people on Christmas Eve, media reported. Among the victims were 12 children.
The torrential downpour also resulted in substantial property damage, as landslides destroyed several houses and demolished a nearby church. The water collection station was also flooded due to overflowing water, reports said.
In mid-December, another 15 people lost their lives in landslides in the eastern city of Bukavu, which had been hit by several landslides and building collapses in 2023, according to the local media.