Congo: Storm leaves over 1,000 homeless

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo

A heavy rainstorm and winds in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo Sunday left over 1,000 people homeless after the rains destroyed their houses, inundated their crops, and killed livestock, according to local police.

The heavy rainfall was accompanied by strong winds which blew the roofs off over 70 houses, and also destroyed two primary schools, a secondary school, a health center, a market, and two churches, said police officer Nelson Mugeni.

He said that the destroyed houses were in the village of Ngilima, about 40 kilometers from the town of Dungu in the Haut-Uele province. He said that although some six people were injured, no deaths have been reported.

''The heavy rainstorm destroyed dozens of houses in the village of Ngilima. Over 1,000 are now homeless. They have now gone to stay at public buildings that have not been destroyed as they plan to build new houses,'' said Mugeni.

A local leader, Ambrose Musoya, appealed to the central government for assistance, saying, ''The government should come to the rescue of the suffering people. Rain has not only destroyed their homes but also their crops. They need food and shelter.”

Jean Nkali, a parent with children in Nglilma Primary School, destroyed by the storm, said, ''Our children will take some time without going to school. The roofs of the school were blown away by the wind and all the school documents were destroyed”.

He said that in 2009, a similar storm hit the area, although only about 400 people were affected.