Tue Apr 08 09:57:28 UTC 2025: ## Kinshasa Flood Death Toll Rises to 33 Amidst Criticism of Government Response
**KINSHASA, DRC** – The death toll from devastating floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, has climbed to 33, as authorities continue struggling with rescue and evacuation efforts following heavy rains over the weekend. The floods, triggered by the overflowing Ndjili River, submerged hundreds of homes and cut access to over half of the city on Sunday.
The Interior Minister, Jacquemain Shabani, confirmed the rising death toll on state television, attributing many fatalities to collapsing walls. The government has established several emergency shelters housing hundreds of displaced families, but residents are expressing outrage at the perceived slowness of the government’s response.
“We lost everything,” lamented Marie Nzola, a resident whose home was destroyed. “The rain caught us by surprise.” Another resident, Clément Matwidi, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Everything is lost, and we are here waiting for the government’s decision.” Many residents criticized the lack of timely intervention, highlighting the devastation and loss of property.
The floods have also disrupted access to clean drinking water in at least 16 communes, compounding the crisis. The disaster comes as the DRC grapples with an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the east of the country, where conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands. This latest tragedy follows similar flooding in Kinshasa in 2022, which resulted in at least 100 deaths. The government is now facing criticism for its handling of the situation, with residents demanding increased support and a more effective disaster response plan.
First Piper 