Situation in Uvira returning to normal

The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) eastern town of Uvira is getting back to normal, the head of the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the town, Patient Masirika, confirmed to IRIN on Monday. "People are still working to level the road to the port so as to enable resumption of traffic," he said, noting that the work was a bit slow, because people were using basic equipment such as hoes. "Also there is a problem of water in a section of the town, since people cannot get clean water. It was decided today [Monday] that ICRC deliver by truck around the affected area, clean water. The usual water network is being restored, but the water is still muddy," he said. The latest figures on casualties indicate that 18 people died as a result of last Wednesday night's storm which hit the town, and more than 20 are still missing. "The hope of finding them alive is kind of dwindling, because it is now more than three days since they were declared missing," Masirika said. Another 48 people are currently admitted at the Uvira general hospital undergoing treatment for various injuries sustained during the storm. "Some were hit by falling rocks and other objects, others got injuries after being caught up in the mud, but it is not easy to tell exactly how people sustained their injuries, considering that it happened quite abruptly," Masirika explained. According to initial assessments carried out by the local Red Cross and ICRC, 70 houses were destroyed. "The inhabitants of the houses were taken in as a sign of solidarity by members from neighbouring homes whose houses were not destroyed. ICRC provided them with tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, blankets and jerry cans," he added. Heavy storms last week hit Uvira town and other areas in eastern DRC, causing loss of lives, injuries and destruction of property. Local authorities in the area contacted by IRIN on Friday confirmed that houses, schools, churches and the general infrastructure had also been destroyed by the storms. They said it was the rainy season.