Are the widespread disasters in South Kivu Province natural hazards or a consequence of poor environmental management?

English translation by community member KBurns.

Good management of our natural ecosystems should, in principle, be a key duty for every human being – whatever group they belong to and whatever their age or gender.

However, when we look at the scale of the destruction caused by humans, we have to ask ourselves whether man has truly considered what will become of him when his environment is ruined.

On a daily basis, thousands of people in South Kivu Province are becoming victims of natural disasters caused on the one hand by irreparable natural phenomena, and on the other hand by environmental destruction carried out in the pursuit of so-called well-being.

We see unregulated and unauthorised building work, as well as totally unorganised dumping of organic and non-biodegradable waste in lakes, waterways and rivers. We see trees being cut down and fires starting in forests, savannahs and grassland. We see fishing that doesn't comply with standards because it either uses banned inputs or takes everything found. We also see blocked gutters and pipes, and a general lack of respect for public hygiene.

Each of those is an act of destruction that risks prompting nature to rebel or react fiercely.

Natural disasters are unavoidable. Nonetheless, local leaders, social participants, young people and children must learn how to manage and look after their environment harmoniously. That will limit the impact of natural phenomena and therefore protect our lives and our environment.