Deadly flooding in Chad prompts UN assistance

AllAfrica.com, via UN News Service: United Nations officials are working alongside local authorities in southern Chad to provide humanitarian assistance after flooding in and around the town of Sarh has left more than 10,000 people homeless. Three people are reportedly dead after their homes collapsed and an estimated 30,000 others have been affected by the floods, which followed nearly a month of torrential rains starting in late July.

UN officials have voiced fears about possible outbreaks of infectious diseases and about meeting the demand for emergency food aid, shelter and other forms of assistance to people affected by the floods. "We are working closely with the Government to bring life-saving assistance to those in need as soon as possible," said Kingsley Amaning, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Chad.

Contingency plans are now being implemented to give shelter, health supplies, nutritional supplements, water purification materials and other items to affected locals. The World Health Organization (WHO) said its biggest concern was to avert waterborne epidemics, especially after more than 120 latrines and showers in Sarh were destroyed as a result of the inundations. The agency has delivered initial stocks of emergency supplies, including medicines for the treatment of malaria, diarrhoea, injuries and common diseases….

Map of Chad, showing the town of Sarh in the south. CIA World Factbook, Wikimedia Commons