21 September 2007

ActionAid is launching an emergency appeal for its relief and rehabilitation work encompassing countries from Ghana to Ethiopia following some of Africa’s worst floods in living memory.  Over 24,000 children supported by ActionAid through its child sponsorship scheme live in the affected areas.

With the rainy season only just beginning, heavy rains have created inland seas, causing food shortages as well as posing a serious health risk. Harvests have been destroyed and unprotected water sources have been contaminated, with thousands of pit latrines overflowing.

Grace Akwango ActionAid’s Coordinator in eastern Uganda – one of the worst affected areas - said that a disease outbreak is looming as the water table rises in a region that already has some of the most ill-equipped health facilities in the world. She said: "Our joint interventions are not enough. The rains are worsening the situation of people whose ability to cope has already been compromised by harsh living conditions.

"Damp floors and leaking roofs have made many homes uninhabitable and many have collapsed.

"Villagers from low lying areas are fleeing using dug out canoes to cross the flooded roads and most displaced people do not have blankets and warm clothing."

ActionAid is working with national and international agencies to respond to the crisis. Across the region, the charity is providing emergency food items, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, mobile toilets and anti-malarial medicines. It is also supplying plastic sheets to help communities dry the harvests they have managed to salvage.