Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides)- The devastating flood emergency continues in many different parts of Africa. Some 20 African countries have been affected by torrential rainfall since July. At least 270 people are confirmed dead and 1.5 million homeless. There is fear for epidemics of malaria and intestinal infections with lethal consequences for a people who are under nourished and do not receive adequate assistance.
In Kenya 15 people were killed and 25,000 are homeless: an urgent appeal for aid has been made by the local branch of the Red Cross Organisation. In east Africa the situation is serious in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo. In Ghana (see Fides 21 September 2007), where 30 are reported dead and 260,000 without homes, the government has assigned 67 million dollars emergency aid for the flood affected areas.
In Togo floods caused the death of 20 people and forced 66,000 to leave their homes. In Mali 9 people are dead and more than 41,000 are homeless. Even Algeria announced that heavy rains in the central west of the country caused the death of 13 people.
In Uganda rescue and aid work in north eastern areas already affected by floods is made difficult by more rain. About 300,000 Ugandans are suffering the consequences of the floods.
The catastrophe has political and social aspects as well. In Uganda for example, 12 leaders of an apocalyptic movement who said the floods announce the end of the world were arrested by the police in Gulu city, in the eastern Ugandan Gulu district. The spread of apocalyptic religious sects is a problem in Uganda. In the year 2000, hundreds died in a fire started by members of a Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments.
In the north of Cote d'Ivoire, where the fury of the waters destroyed roads and bridges, it is feared that this may slow down operations to register local people in view of issuing identity papers. This registration was one of the conditions of a peace agreement reached in Ouagadougou (see Fides 5 March 2007). In fact people living in the north of the country say they are looked on as foreigners and have been neglected by the government for years. This process of registration and issuing of identity papers should put an end to this situation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 24/9/2007 righe 31 parole 391)
