Africa floods displace more than a million

At least 300 people have died in the flooding since heavy rains began sweeping across the continent two months ago. With nearly half of Africa’s countries hit, the cost of the damage, is only beginning to emerge.

More than 1.5 million people in 18 countries have been affected, with thousands displaced and massive damage to crops and livestock leading to fears of food shortages.

ActionAid partners are on the ground in Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria.

Uganda:
In the districts of Katakwi, Amuria, Soroti and Kumi more than 400,000 people have been displaced and 18 deaths have been reported.

There is a very limited supply of clean water as stagnant flood waters have contaminated normal supplies. Homes are uninhabitable, 20 bridges have been swept away and crops have been destroyed.

ActionAid works in all the affected areas and supports a total of 4,600 children through our sponsorship scheme. In the short term we are providing food, anti-malarial drugs, mosquito nets and polythene sheets.

In the longer term we are helping displaced people get back on their feet again, such as in Amuria where we are working with displaced people supplying them with agricultural equipment and seeds.

Ghana:
This year’s floods have been the highest and most devastating floods ever in Ghana’s history. Up to 332,600 people have been displaced with 56 deaths reported.

More than 19,000 houses have collapsed with 100,703 of the displaced people staying in school buildings and churches.

Unprotected water sources have been contaminated putting people at risk of water borne diseases and many areas have become inaccessible due to 87 bridges having been washed away.

ActionAid predict it will take five years or more for displaced and affected people to recover and sustain their lives in a dignified manner.The floods came just after a prolonged drought, making support for the recovery an urgent priority in the next 4-6months.

ActionAid Ghana is continuing to distribute relief packages to the affected communities these include; food, blankets, mattresses, treated mosquito nets, wellington boots, cooking utensils, salt and water, transport and fuel.

Nigeria:
In Nigeria 5,650 people have been displaced with 34 deaths reported. People who have lost their homes are currently living in school buildings and churches. Unprotected water sources have been contaminated putting people at risk of water borne diseases.

The floods have severely damaged crops and disrupted the planting season which will effect next year's harvest.

Whole areas of the country have been cut off preventing more 5000 children from attending school and cutting access to health and other social services.

In such cases of displacement, women - especially the pregnant and lactating ones - and children are particularly vulnerable.

ActionAid is providing assistance to such people in the form of food, clothing, mattresses, mosquito nets, buckets and sanitary materials.

photo : ©Vincent Ojumbo Wandera / ActionAid