Key points:
- Over 1,000 homes, including those of at least 100 United Methodists, were affected by flooding in Congo’s capital.
- Two local United Methodist churches also were damaged.
- The government has opened the Tata Raphaël soccer stadium to accommodate flood survivors, while others are being housed with host families.
United Methodists are among those picking up the pieces after devastating floods claimed at least 33 lives and destroyed thousands of homes in Congo’s capital.
The floodwaters damaged the homes of some 100 church members, as well as Marc Mokoie and Lemba Imbu United Methodist churches, according to the Central Congo Episcopal Area’s disaster-management office.
On April 5, torrential rains turned bustling neighborhoods into raging rivers. The Ndjili River burst its banks, flooding homes and causing extensive material damage.
The worst-hit neighborhoods included the communes of Limete and Matete, where many families were left homeless. Boulevard Lumumba, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, also was underwater, isolating some areas.
Although exact figures are still being assessed, the government reports that over 1,000 homes were submerged by the waters.
Marc Mokoie United Methodist Church suffered heavy damage. The sanctuary and church premises were flooded. Pastor André Tshola said the water washed away several musical instruments that are no longer salvageable, as well as other items of value to the church.
“We lost a lot in the floods,” Tshola said. “The drums, the guitar, the mixer, even the plastic chairs were washed away. It’s a difficult loss for our community to overcome.”
Pastor Boncoeur Shongo of Lemba Ambu United Methodist Church said the flooding is preventing worshippers from attending services on Sunday. He said a nearby bridge also was washed away, keeping people from crossing the river to get to the church.
John Kodjo, a member of the chorus at Mapamboli United Methodist Church in Kinshasa, is among the survivors.
“I was already a few meters from my church to rehearse for worship when I received an urgent call from my wife. She told me to come home immediately, as the situation at home had become critical. She was with our twins and 5-year-old boy,” Kodjo said.
When he rushed home, he discovered that his neighborhood had flooded.
“The water was rising rapidly and reaching alarming levels,” he said. “I had to dive in and take my family across on the roof to protect them. I lost everything, including the money I kept at home, but I thank God for saving my family.”
Bibishe Mbutshu Omadeke, a member of Marc Mokoie United Methodist Church, was among those affected. She said she was surprised by the water’s destruction.
“It was the first time I had seen such power,” she said. “The water devastated the whole house, and before everything collapsed, it came up to the floor. I don’t know how my family survived, but I think it was a real miracle.”
Bibishe also lost everything she owned, including electronics, clothes and savings. “I don't know how to start again, but I know that with God’s grace, we’ll get a fresh start.”
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Flooding is a frequent occurrence in the region. Early last year, Kingabwa, a district to the north of Limete Commune, was severely hit by the flooding of the Congo River, which reached record levels. At least 55 people were killed and some 3,500 left homeless.
With financial support from UMCOR and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, the church distributed food, medicine and other supplies to those affected by that disaster in central Congo.
Neighbors and community members came together in the hours following this month’s floods. Humanitarian organizations and local authorities distributed food and clothing and offered temporary shelter. The government opened the Tata Raphaël stadium to flood victims, while others stayed with host families.
In the wake of the flooding, Kinshasa authorities are calling for better management of urban infrastructures to prevent disasters like this one in the future. There is also a need to strengthen weather warning and preparedness systems in the region, officials said.
Despite the ordeal, affected United Methodists remained faithful.
“Even in the face of loss, hope remains,” Kodjo said. “We have lost everything, but God is with us and will raise us up again.”
Okito is director of communications for the Central Congo Episcopal Area.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digests.