CERF allocates $2 million for flood-affected people in Burkina Faso
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Flood-affected children in Burkina Faso[Photo: UNICEF]
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27 August 2010: In response to the severe flooding affecting over 105,000 people in the country, CERF allocates nearly $2 million to humanitarian agencies in Burkina Faso.
The World Food Programme (WFP) will use $721,000 to provide food assistance for 65,000 flood-victims. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been allocated $771,000 for the prevention and treatment of child malnutrition and provision of safe water and sanitation for 20,000 people. Some $321,000 will go to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the prevention of potential epidemic diseases caused by flooding in five regions. Finally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will receive $153,000 to reduce mortality and morbidity among women who are pregnant or of reproductive age.
Burkina Faso has been facing recurrent flooding for several years. The flooding which started on 1 September 2009 was particularly severe and over 100,000 people were affected in Ouagadougou (Central Region) and nine other regions in the country.
This year, heavy rains have resulted in casualties and significant damage. Since early July, the Sahel, North, North - Central, Eastern and Central Plateau were successively hit by severe flooding. The number of affected people rose to 105,000 with 16 people reportedly dead and others still missing. Residents in flooded areas have lost their homes, livestock, and belongings. Infrastructures in the affected regions have suffered significant damage and some villages are still inaccessible by land. The victims have mostly been relocated to schools, government buildings, and other social infrastructure, which are suffering from poor conditions and overcrowding.
[last updated: 2 September 2010]