AFRICA/SUDAN - United Nations fears diseases could spread with flood waters

Thursday, 7 September 2006

Geneva (Agenzia Fides) - Following floods caused by overflowing of rivers whose source is in Ethiopia, the UN World Health Organisation has warned disease could spread also in Sudan.
A report from the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Aid OCHA warned that about 30,000 homes have been destroyed and 200,000 people affected by the flooding.
OCHA fears flood victims may contract diseases such as malaria, acute diarrhoea or serious respiratory diseases as already happened in Ethiopia, where at least 16,000 cases of acute diarrhoea were registered, 130 of them mortal.
To prevent a similar situation in Sudan, OCHA recommends rapid assisted to flood victims and close control of the health situation.
In the central Sudanese region of Sennar, the most affected by the floods, to prevent the spreading of malaria 10,000 mosquito nets, 2,500 field tents, 10.000 isolating plastic sheets, 5,000 blankets, 5,000 water cans and 5,000 kitchen utensil sets have been distributed.
In Somalia, also affected by heavy rainfall, the UN World Food Programme is assessing assistance priorities for affected people especially in the region of the capital Mogadishu. (AP) (7/9/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:21; Parole:209)


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