Kenya Flood Toll Surges To 114
Pastor Dale Morgan
Kenya Flood Toll Surges To 114*
Nairobi (AFP) Dec 11, 2006
Massive flooding in Kenya has killed at least 114 people and affected
more than 700,000 others over the past six weeks, the Kenyan Red Cross
said Monday, more than doubling its earlier death toll. "This is the new
figure we shall be using from now on," Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS)
spokesman Anthony Mwangi told AFP, adding that the number was based on
its own nationwide survey as well as local media reports.
The earlier toll had stood at 51.
The 114 fatalities were from flood-related incidents across the country
since unusually heavy seasonal rains began pounding the country in late
October.
Last week, the international Red Cross said it was seeking 21.9 million
dollars (16.5 million euros) to assist in flood relief efforts in Kenya,
in addition to 7.9 million dollars that has been appealed for by the KRCS.
"The flood situation remains a grim reality in Kenya," Red Cross
secretary general Abbas Gulled said, adding that around 723,000 people
had been affected in different parts of the country.
"We are currently appealing to the corporate sector and the general
public to donate towards alleviating suffering among thousands of
Kenyans as a result of these floods," he added.
The new Red Cross figure brings to at least 314 the number of people
killed by floods in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, all of which been hit
by torrential rains not expected to end until next month.
Damage in the three nations has been exacerbated by the fact that they
were still recovering from a scorching drought that had parched soil
across vast swathes of land, leaving the earth unable to absorb the rain
water.
The resultant displacement, cramped living conditions and lack of water
and sanitation, means between 1.5 and 1.8 million people are at risk
from diseases such as cholera, measles and malaria, aid agencies say.
Source: Agence France-Presse