How catastrophic rains in the Congo reveal the deepening global divide in the fight against climate change.
For the Earth Day 2025, the actors and activities promoted under the slogan “Our Power, Our Planet”, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is within the context of a climatic disaster that submerges every part of this international event. Frequent heavy rainfalls, which were before considered a rarity in Democratic Republic of the Congo, are predicted to happen every two years proving the dangerous imperative for preserve the earth environment and the serious consequences of climate change in risky regions. This means that there is a great imperative for regional and international response given the fact that the impact of rainstorm which has gradually visited this nation in central Africa has been catastrophic. This new emerging problem serves as a living indication of the worse climate discrimination experienced elsewhere in the world.
The Increasing Wave: Congo’s Flooding Frequency and Effects
Accompanied, flooding has regrettably hit, this time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital city Kinshasa in April 2025 whereby at least 33 people died, and hundreds displaced. Several residential houses, schools and other health installations were flooded by the overflowing of the Ndjili River brought about by non-stop rains.
The President of the DR Congo, Félix Tshisekedi went to the ground to access the situation, meet with the victims and assess the situation and impact.
The Head of state also spent his time visiting flood victims at the Vijana Health Centre in Lingwala accompanied by First Lady, Denise Nyakeru as did both governmental and moral support to the shocked victims. In this context, to order the actions of providing assistance in the Kasaï I and II provinces, Tshisekedi also mentioned that an emergency meeting would be call together.
These horrifying incidences are a wake-up call to ordinary citizens on how more vulnerable groups in the Congo and the whole of Africa are at the receiving end of climate disasters.
Such recurrent floods can be compared to the previous ones like Kinshasa floods in 2022 that claimed 169 people’s lives and affected more than 12 million individuals. It was in 2023 when flood hit South Kivu province with the lives of more than 440 lives claimed besides damaging properties. In the same way, a fatal slide resulting from a very wet spell in 2024 buried more than 50 persons in Kwilu.
Such incidences are not limited to but are taking place in the contemporary society. This is because, as per climate scientists, if global warming is not halted, more devastating rain incidents will occur every two years at least. Whereas what used to be an occasional disaster that affected the people is now happening frequently and has grown terribly destructive.
The Connection Between Severe Weather Events and Climate Change
It can easily be established that climate change caused by human activity impacts the increase of heavy rainfall in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The appearance of the rainfall events has increased together with the increased intensity around the Central Africa as a result of climate change. The effects of climate change made the chances of heavy rainfall in West and Central Africa of which Congo is included rise to an average of 80 times. The intensity and duration of the precipitation also increase due to evaporation and moistened atmosphere resulting from the increase of temperatures.
Additionally, the world bank stated that climate change such as deforestation, climatic variability, a poor approach to the usage of the land causes flooding, which forms a real threat to the sensitive environment of the Congo Basin.
Such a situation can be seen as an indication of the global relationship between environment degeneration and humanity activity rather than just continental or local problem of the DRC.
Deadly Rainfall’s Socioeconomic Effects in Congo
However, the immediate aftermath of the floods in the DRC, is far from the only problem associated with floods that happen more than often in this country. This area of the economy, which is iconic to the Congolese economy as well as food security, is dangerously disrupted. Many crops have been destroyed by flood, and this has resulted to inflation and short supply of food in the local markets.
According to World weather attribution, due to floods in the east of Congo more than 470,000 people lost their homes in 2024, roads, schools, and health facilities were destroyed, and the already critical food insecurity situation was worsening.
In addition, diseases such as cholera, malaria, and typhoid fever are more likely to be found during floods and which would exert more pressure on what little health facilities that are available.
Houses roads and schools are destroyed, communal isolation emerges and poverty as well as any other necessities become limited when they are owned. In a nation that itself has political as well as humanitarian concerns, the economic production reduces and thus sustains volatility.
This is because if corrective measures are not taken in the shortest time possible, one finds the DRC experiencing a series of failures across its infrastructure, health, and agricultural production due to climate change of which further deterioration cannot be undone anyways.
Earth Day 2025’s Function: An Urgent Appeal
It will be final year of another period that plays an important role to make people understand that the climate problem is closely related to human suffering. The general theme that is being promoted by the stream is rallying people up to act and reflect on what has been lost in their fight for the future of the planet.
It is not just a symbolic date in the Democratic Republic of Congo; but it is even an appeal to increased international support. It is the countries of the third world, for example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are subjected to the negative impacts of climate change despite having little contribution towards the emission of greenhouse gases.
Thus, it is climate justice, not charity, to aide Congo in attempt to struggle with one of the effects of climate change. The richer countries are under high pressure to deliver the promises of effectively reducing carbon emissions, increasing the climate change and resilience funds.
The story of the DRC is a bitter lesson that the wellbeing of the world relies on keeping the health of ecosystems such as the Congo basin. Africa and the rest of the world gain from the protection of these areas.
Crucial Steps to Resolve the Crisis
Improving Strategies for Climate Adaptation
In this regard, there is a need to have comprehensive adaption measures that can be implemented in the DRC. This entails erecting newer flood barriers, installing protective early warning units, supporting climate shock proof agriculture, and protecting floodplain wet land that offers a buffer against floods.
For financial and technical assistance to quickly scale up these initiatives, international alliances are crucial.
Making Resilient Infrastructure Investments
Future climatic concerns must be considered while designing Congo’s infrastructure. Communities will be better equipped to endure future disasters if drainage systems are upgraded, flood-resistant roadways are built, and susceptible structures are retrofitted.
Climate resilience must be given top priority in urban development to prevent making vulnerabilities worse.
Encouraging Environmental Awareness and Education
Initiatives for environmental education must empower local communities. Resilience may be developed at the local level by increasing knowledge of flood hazards, sustainable agricultural methods, and climate adaption techniques.
To educate the future generation for a world confronting climate change, environmental studies should be incorporated into school curricula.
Promoting International Climate Action
More robust international climate pledges must be pushed for on Earth Day 2025. The utmost significant task is still reducing global emissions. Accelerated technology transfer, debt alleviation programs, and climate adaption assistance for vulnerable countries are needed. The climate debt due to frontline populations like those in Congo must be recognised by wealthier countries.
In conclusion
The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a clear example of the worldwide climate problem. Not only are deadly rains expected to occur every two years, but they are also a direct result of deforestation, global warming, and a lack of preparation.
We can only be powerful if we work together, as Earth Day 2025 reminds us. For the sake of Africa, the DRC, and the earth, action must be taken immediately. We cannot hope to achieve a future where the world’s most vulnerable people no longer pay the price of devastating floods unless we take swift, equitable, and persistent climate action.
