Flood damage assessed by UN/ NGO team

Prolonged and heavy rainfall between June and August caused heavy flooding in The Gambia, affecting 27,000 people and damaging roads and bridges in the country's Central River and Upper River divisions. These were the findings of a three-day interagency assessment mission to the affected areas at the end of August, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. The UN, in coordination with national and local authorities, will assist the victims in these administrative divisions. WFP has distributed 27 mt of cereals and 17.5 mt of oil. UNICEF is providing drugs, health education, water chlorination and sanitation. WHO is giving 860 kg of drugs and UNDP is providing logistical support for the delivery of aid. The extent of crop damage will be assessed jointly by FAO and WFP in October.