Bukavu fire destroys 200 homes, victims appeal for aid

A devastating fire swept through Bukavu's Nkafu neighborhood on Sunday, August 23, 2026, destroying approximately 200 homes. The blaze, which reportedly began in a single house on Avenue de l'Hôpital général, quickly spread, leaving hundreds of families displaced and in distress.

Hypocrate Marume, a representative of the local civil society in Kadutu, described the intense emotion and difficult situation faced by the victims. "The emotion is intense on the extent of this avenue touched by this tragedy," he said, highlighting the precarious circumstances of the population amid already "very worrying" economic and security conditions in Bukavu.

Marume appealed for immediate assistance from the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations. "They have no shelter as we saw during the site visit. They have no medicine, they have nowhere they can even take shelter," he stated, emphasizing the urgent needs of families just before the school year commences.

This incident follows another tragic fire that occurred just days earlier on August 20th in the same Nkafu neighborhood, which claimed the lives of five members of a single family. The repeated disasters underscore the vulnerability of Bukavu's residents.