The city of Uvira in South Kivu faces an escalating humanitarian crisis as rising waters from Lake Tanganyika wreak havoc. The flooding has submerged over 3,000 homes, displaced more than 36,000 people, and continues to leave thousands in dire need of aid.
Life in Danger Amid the Rising Waters
The flooding has introduced new threats, including frequent encounters with hippos displaced from their habitats. These animals now pose serious risks to residents.
Furaha Nsimire, a local resident, shared her fears: “Hippos hide in the water during the day and emerge at night. With the rising waters, they attack humans. We are at risk, and we can no longer grow crops because they destroy everything.”
Families forced to abandon their homes now live in overcrowded shelters or with host families, while entire neighborhoods remain underwater, offering little hope of immediate recovery.
Agricultural Devastation
The rising waters have devastated agriculture, the backbone of the local economy. Farmers along the lake have lost vital crops to hippos, compounding their hardships.
Kasongo Musimbwa, Environmental Development Supervisor in Bavira Territory, highlighted the challenge: “Farmers in Kalungwe and Kamba Makobola grow cassava and sweet potatoes, but hippos destroy their fields. These animals are protected in DR Congo, leaving farmers helpless.”
Unprecedented Shifts in Lake Tanganyika
The rising water levels mark a dramatic reversal of Lake Tanganyika’s decades-long retreat.
Mayor Kiza Muhato of Uvira explained: “Since 1964, Lake Tanganyika receded by about 150 meters. But between 2023 and 2024, the lake has reclaimed its shores, submerging areas that were once land, including homes.”
The city center and several neighborhoods remain underwater, and the daunting task of rebuilding looms as displaced residents grapple with harsh conditions and significant losses.
A Call for Immediate Action
Uvira’s worsening crisis underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. With lives disrupted, homes destroyed, and livelihoods lost, immediate intervention is critical to aid affected families and support the community’s recovery.
If left unaddressed, the challenges posed by Lake Tanganyika’s rising waters will continue to intensify, threatening the future of Uvira and its people.
