Homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo are being engulfed by massive diggings
In the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a silent crisis is unfolding. Gullies, deep, narrow channels eroded by water, are posing a significant threat to the poorest communities, making them the most vulnerable to their destructive effects.
Dealing with gullies is a complex issue, but one of the most effective steps is to reduce the amount of water flowing into them. This requires addressing the root causes, such as rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, and competition for resources, which have contributed to the rapid spread of divisions in cities across the DRC.
Predicting when or where a gully might appear or widen remains challenging for scientists. Every heavy rain brings a risk of losing homes for people living on the edge of a gully, with about 60% of displacement caused by gullies being due to them widening rather than new gullies forming.
Despite these challenges, researchers are working tirelessly towards a better understanding of how gullies are formed and seeking solutions. Their efforts, however, often fall short, and the expansion of gullies continues at an accelerated rate in cities across Africa and Brazil since 2020.
Local community initiatives offer a glimmer of hope. Planting vegetation, placing sandbags, digging pits, or installing water tanks are simple yet effective measures that communities are taking to stabilize gullies. However, the cost of fixing one gully is over $1 million (€920,000), making it a financially daunting task for many communities.
The crisis is far from over. According to researchers, 12,000 people in the DRC are at risk of losing their homes every year due to gullies. On Google Earth, you can see how gullies expand over time in cities across the DRC, a stark reminder of the urgency of finding long-term solutions to this pressing issue.
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