Nyambasha is a village located in the Kalehe Territory, in the vicinity of Lake Kivu in the South Kivu Province in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is 1599 meters above sea level and is situated nearby Kasheke and Lemera.[1] [2]
The village is inhabited by the Havu people, Bantu agriculturalists residing on the expansive islands of Idjwi and Kalehe Territory. However, the region boasts ethnocultural diversity, with numerous other ethnic groups coexisting, including the Bashi, Batembo, and Barega. Additionally, there is also a small number of Hutu and Tutsi people.[3] [4]
Nyambasha benefits from favorable climatic conditions and fertile land, making it an ideal region for agricultural pursuits. The fertile soil supports the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including staple food crops such as maize, beans, cassava, sweet potato, yams and potatoes. Farmers also grow various fruits, vegetables, and cash crops.[5] [6] [7] Apart from crop cultivation, livestock farming also forms an integral part of the agricultural landscape. Cattle, goats, and poultry are reared by local farmers, providing them with additional sources of income and food production.[8]
On October 25, 2014, Nyambasha and other nearby villages, such as Bushushu, Rambira, and Nyamukubi, experienced torrential rains that deluged homes, decimated crops, and disrupted the daily lives of the villagers. Among the affected areas, Bushushu village was particularly devastated, with over 40 houses collapsing, including the Community of Christ in Congo (CCC) church where a hundred choir members were gathered. According to the World Food Programme, the disaster claimed nearly 400 lives, destroyed 3,000 houses, and left 200 individuals missing.[9] [10] [11]