Africa flood disasters increase by 8 times in three years, Red Cross figures show
Pastor Dale Morgan
Africa flood disasters increase by 8 times in three years, Red Cross
figures show*
28 Sep 2007 13:47:27 GMT
Source: Irish Red Cross
More than one and a half million people across Africa are facing hunger,
hardship and homelessness as a result of catastrophic flooding that is
sweeping across the continent, according to the Red Cross which is
appealing for funds to deal with the latest crisis.
David Andrews, Chairman of the Irish Red Cross said the latest figures
from the Red Cross highlights the neglect of suffering in Africa.
"Between 2004 and 2006, the number of floods operations in Africa jumped
from just five in 2004 to 32 in 2006 and already, by mid September 2007,
they stand at 42, according to our international figures," said David
Andrews.
And he noted that smaller disasters (affecting less than 25,000 people)
have jumped from four in 2004 to 28 already this year.
"Little attention is given to these Â'neglectedÂ' disasters, yet we must
remember that people have had their homes and incomes wiped out and we
must act quickly to help them restore their lives," Mr Andrews added.
And he noted that this phenomenon has been identified as consistent with
Climate Change as reported by experts of the Red Cross Red Crescent
Climate Centre in The Hague (Netherlands) who believe that the
phenomenon will raise flood risks in some regions of Africa. Climate
change will also increase the risk of drought in some areas, while
others may experience both floods and droughts
Emergency funds have already been provided by the Irish Red Cross to
help pay for disease prevention and health promotion efforts as the risk
of disease is growing due to large quantities of dirty and contaminated
water in areas where people and livestock are struggling to survive.
Appealing for Irish people to donate funds to the Red Cross, Mr Andrews
said that the Irish Red Cross has already sent €25,000 to Uganda, one
of the most severely affected countries and also €25,0000 to Ethiopia.
They are just two of the 20 countries[1] where 200 people have died and
650,000 people have already lost their homes.
"We need support from people in Ireland to pay for urgently needed goods
such as tents and clean water, as well as medical aid kits to help treat
the injured and sick," stated Mr Andrews.
By providing water purification tablets and new wells to 10,000
households and the construction of 800 communal latrines within the
camps for displaced persons, the Red Cross will be helping to reduce the
incidence of diseases among at least 50,000 people.