03:43Hundreds of locals and traders cross the four-kilometre roads that separate the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Burundi every day, despite the risk of the floodwaters from Lake Tanganyika, as seen in the footage filmed on the Kavimvira border on Thursday.
"Women who cross these waters on foot suffer from several illnesses such as infections," said Nono Sikitu Mulenda, a local civil society activist. "The government intervened as quickly as possible because many families make a living from Uvira-Burundi cross-border commercial activities. Otherwise, it's really complicated."
Locals, drivers and traders were seen piling into vehicles, including cars, tractors, trucks and canoes, and attempting to cross the flooded roads. Some people were seen walking through the water carrying large bundles on their heads and shoulders.
"We are facing huge problems here; Firstly it is when the goods are loaded onto the tractor. We suffer a lot because it costs us a lot of money," said Marie-Claire, a cross-border trader. "Although we are in the tractor with our goods, we are still wet and the waters reach up to hip level. Currently, we are already suffering from countless infections".
"When we arrive at the border, we still have to pay stevedores to unload the goods from the tractor to the OBR. So we are suffering greatly," she added.
"For us, the problem is the density of these waters. These waters have a high density, great pressure and a layer of mud," said Isaac Matoto, a tractor driver. "As a result, several vehicles are stuck in the water, others overturn and others regularly break down".
Congolese government officials reportedly acknowledged the impact of the rising water levels at the border, claiming that a 'bridge is under construction to allow regular crossings' and stressing that 'as long as the government is present, solutions will always be found'.
For many travellers, the Kamvinvira border remains the main access point to Bujumbura in Burundi, especially since Burundi closed its border with Rwanda in January, cutting off the safest and most efficient routes for transporting goods from and into the DRC.
'Waters reach up to hip level' - Congolese traders, locals risk health, livelihood crossing flooded DRC-Burundi border
Hundreds of locals and traders cross the four-kilometre roads that separate the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Burundi every day, despite the risk of the floodwaters from Lake Tanganyika, as seen in the footage filmed on the Kavimvira border on Thursday.
"Women who cross these waters on foot suffer from several illnesses such as infections," said Nono Sikitu Mulenda, a local civil society activist. "The government intervened as quickly as possible because many families make a living from Uvira-Burundi cross-border commercial activities. Otherwise, it's really complicated."
Locals, drivers and traders were seen piling into vehicles, including cars, tractors, trucks and canoes, and attempting to cross the flooded roads. Some people were seen walking through the water carrying large bundles on their heads and shoulders.
"We are facing huge problems here; Firstly it is when the goods are loaded onto the tractor. We suffer a lot because it costs us a lot of money," said Marie-Claire, a cross-border trader. "Although we are in the tractor with our goods, we are still wet and the waters reach up to hip level. Currently, we are already suffering from countless infections".
"When we arrive at the border, we still have to pay stevedores to unload the goods from the tractor to the OBR. So we are suffering greatly," she added.
"For us, the problem is the density of these waters. These waters have a high density, great pressure and a layer of mud," said Isaac Matoto, a tractor driver. "As a result, several vehicles are stuck in the water, others overturn and others regularly break down".
Congolese government officials reportedly acknowledged the impact of the rising water levels at the border, claiming that a 'bridge is under construction to allow regular crossings' and stressing that 'as long as the government is present, solutions will always be found'.
For many travellers, the Kamvinvira border remains the main access point to Bujumbura in Burundi, especially since Burundi closed its border with Rwanda in January, cutting off the safest and most efficient routes for transporting goods from and into the DRC.
Hundreds of locals and traders cross the four-kilometre roads that separate the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from Burundi every day, despite the risk of the floodwaters from Lake Tanganyika, as seen in the footage filmed on the Kavimvira border on Thursday.
"Women who cross these waters on foot suffer from several illnesses such as infections," said Nono Sikitu Mulenda, a local civil society activist. "The government intervened as quickly as possible because many families make a living from Uvira-Burundi cross-border commercial activities. Otherwise, it's really complicated."
Locals, drivers and traders were seen piling into vehicles, including cars, tractors, trucks and canoes, and attempting to cross the flooded roads. Some people were seen walking through the water carrying large bundles on their heads and shoulders.
"We are facing huge problems here; Firstly it is when the goods are loaded onto the tractor. We suffer a lot because it costs us a lot of money," said Marie-Claire, a cross-border trader. "Although we are in the tractor with our goods, we are still wet and the waters reach up to hip level. Currently, we are already suffering from countless infections".
"When we arrive at the border, we still have to pay stevedores to unload the goods from the tractor to the OBR. So we are suffering greatly," she added.
"For us, the problem is the density of these waters. These waters have a high density, great pressure and a layer of mud," said Isaac Matoto, a tractor driver. "As a result, several vehicles are stuck in the water, others overturn and others regularly break down".
Congolese government officials reportedly acknowledged the impact of the rising water levels at the border, claiming that a 'bridge is under construction to allow regular crossings' and stressing that 'as long as the government is present, solutions will always be found'.
For many travellers, the Kamvinvira border remains the main access point to Bujumbura in Burundi, especially since Burundi closed its border with Rwanda in January, cutting off the safest and most efficient routes for transporting goods from and into the DRC.