Huge Floods in Burundi

Huge Floods in Burundi

It is currently rainy season in Burundi, and although the rain has not been much heavier than usual, there is a huge issue with flooding. Why? The level of Lake Tangakyika, which forms much of the Western border of the country, has risen dramatically. This is the second consecutive year that the lake level has risen, but this year it has come up further than before. The photos above, sourced from various social media accounts of local people, give an idea of the impact.

What is the reason for this? Experts are not certain. But it seems to be a combination of heavy rain in the wider region, landslides and strong winds. It seems likely that climate change is the ultimate culprit for the rise of the water level of the world’s second-deepest lake.

Whatever the cause, the effects are devastating. The UN-operated IOM estimates over 98,000 people have been affected. As well as displacement, the flooding also brings an increased risk of cholera infecting the water supply.

In Bujumbura, you can observe scenes of people taking boats back to their homes to try and recover what possessions remain. Families are forced to put up makeshift shelters to sleep outside as they have nowhere else to go.

This is also a big concern for our Partners. The offices of Youth for Christ have been evacuated due to the water breaching their building. Kings Conference Centre, the incoming generating business of Scripture Union, is very close to the edge of the floodwaters. Just down the road, a major international school has had to close, with students being homeschooled. Check out this film one of our team took to see how close the waters are.

We are calling upon all of our supporters to pray for the floodwaters to recede, people to be able to return home, but also for the wider issue of the climate crisis – which threatens to shake the long-term sustainability of Burundi. If you would like to join our online Saturday Prayer Connect meetings, you can sign up here.

  • Pray for families, businesses, schools and churches impacted
  • Pray for Youth for Christ, Kings Conference Centre, and New Generation, who’s buildings are all close to the lake.
  • Pray for wisdom for the Government on how to address the issue.
  • Pray for the issue of climate change across Africa and the world.

If you would like to support our strategic work amongst the last, the lost, and the least in Burundi, could you consider supporting us with a monthly donation?

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