Vulnérabilité des populations face au changement climatique dans la ville de Bandundu (RDC) Vulnerability of populations to climate change in the city of Bandundu (DRC)

The town of Bandundu (formerly Banningville), located between 3°14'06'' and 3°23'43'' south latitude and between 17°20' and 17°45' east longitude, is the capital of the Kwilu province in the southwest of the DRC. It is clear that since the beginning of the 1980s, the city of Bandundu and its surroundings have experienced the effects of climate change through the increase in temperature, the drop in relative humidity, and the variation in rainfall. And this intensifies over time with observable consequences both on the population and on the physical environment. The results of the surveys carried out in situ as well as the statistical analysis of daily temperature and precipitation data from the Bandundu meteorological station clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of these climate changes. In addition, essentially anthropogenic factors, notably population growth, human activities, deforestation and deforestation amplify the vulnerability of this population. The statistical processing of climate data (precipitation and temperatures) from 1981 to 2021 by the linear regression model revealed a downward and upward evolution of said parameters, highlighting the climate changes deplored for several decades on planet Earth. The vulnerability of the population of Bandundu to this situation results in multiple disasters which have a negative impact on the local population. We can cite environmental damage, reduced yields from agricultural activities, etc. To combat climate change and mitigate these impacts, some actions are proposed to populations and decision-making authorities, in particular, reforestation or reforestation, the ban on bush and/or forest fires, reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the use of renewable energies.