Congo-Brazzaville – Over 80 Villages Flooded in Likouala Department

The government in Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville) have declared a state of humanitarian emergency after ongoing floods in the north of the country.

Floods in the Department of Likouala, Congo Brazzaville, October 2020. Photo: Government of Congo Brazzaville

The Ministry of Social Affairs said levels of the Congo and Ubangui rivers have been high in the north of the country since July 2020.

As of 03 November, 66,000 people in 81 villages were affected in the Department of Likouala. Homes have been damaged or destroyed, as well as schools, health centres, drinking water infrastructure, crops and livestock.

Local media reported flooding in the districts of Bétou, Impfondo, Epena and especially Liranga where “thousands of people are homeless and lack basic necessities”.

Many areas are still recovering from similar flooding around this time last year, which affected around 170,000 people across the departments of Likouala, Sangha and Plateaux. It is feared the numbers affected could be even higher this year.

The emergency declaration applies to the departments of Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette and Plateaux.

Homes have been damaged by floods in the Department of Likouala, Congo Brazzaville, October 2020. Photo: Government of Congo Brazzaville