The AFC-M23 administration has announced a raft of measures to strengthen fire prevention and emergency response in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following recent fires that killed at least 27 schoolchildren.
The measures were announced after an expanded security council meeting held in Bukavu on Monday and chaired by AFC-M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, four days after the fire swept through parts of Funu B Avenue in Kasheke, Chimpunda District, and spread to Ujamaa and Furaah primary schools. His deputy, Bertrand Bisimwa, also attended the meeting.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group said the meeting examined the causes and risk factors behind the recent fires and agreed on urgent measures to prevent similar tragedies.
The council identified overcrowded settlements, unplanned construction, blocked or inadequate access roads, unsafe electrical connections, non-compliant solar installations and the storage of flammable materials in densely populated areas as some of the factors increasing fire risks.
It also cited inadequate equipment and limited operational capacity among emergency services.
Lawrence Kanyuka, the head of the AFC-M23 Department of Communication and spokesperson, said the group had recommended the immediate repair and restoration of available firefighting vehicles and equipment, alongside efforts to strengthen the capacity of services responsible for preventing and responding to fires.
The council also proposed a rapid alert system to enable residents to report emergencies and reduce the time taken by responders to reach affected areas.
Schools have been singled out for special attention following the deaths of pupils in the recent fire.
Kanyuka said schools should undergo systematic safety assessments and have evacuation plans. The council also recommended training pupils and staff in fire prevention, emergency alerts and basic first aid.
The statement further called for the mapping of high-risk areas in Bukavu, rehabilitation of access roads and identification of areas unsuitable for construction.
It proposed the development or updating of the city’s master plan and establishment of pilot projects to test fire prevention measures before they are rolled out to other neighbourhoods.
The council also called for systematic inspections of illegal, fraudulent or dangerous electricity connections, with the involvement of the national electricity utility, SNEL, and other technical services.
Solar installations will also be subjected to a regulatory and technical framework to ensure they are installed by qualified personnel and comply with safety standards, according to the statement.
The AFC-M23 said it would launch a public awareness campaign involving the media, schools, technical services and civil society.
The campaign will focus on fire prevention, proper use of fire extinguishers, first aid, child safety, the dangers of unsafe electrical connections, and the handling and storage of flammable materials.
The council also called for action against corruption, influence peddling, irregular issuance of administrative documents, falsification of titles and illegal occupation of public property.
Kanyuka said a monitoring mechanism would be established to track responsibilities, deadlines, resources and the results of the measures.
The announcement comes days after a fire swept through two schools in Bukavu, killing at least 27 pupils and affecting homes in the densely populated area.
The cause of the fire has not been conclusively established.
Kanyuka said the tragedy should mark a shift from responding to disasters after they occur to a policy focused on prevention, preparedness and protection of residents.
