Floods threaten thousands

Up to 10,000 people in rural communities could be displaced by floods caused by heavy rains in The Gambia, news sources there told IRIN on Wednesday. Worst hit are the Central River, Upper River and Western administrative divisions in the country where, humanitarian and media sources said, close to 3,000 homes have been swept away. Between 60 and 70 percent of the mud brick homes in Kaur, a town 140 km east of Banjul, dissolved under the deluge of rain but a media source said, "Not a single death has been reported yet". Some 300 people from the town have sought refuge in villages 15 km to 20 km away, the source said. Schools and roads have been washed away and some communities have been cut off by flood waters. Parts of the capital, Banjul, and outlying towns were also flooded. "In some homes the water has reached the ceiling," the source said. Vice-President Isatou Njie-Saidy appealed on Tuesday for assistance from international donors and the local business community. Sources said the government will need help with food, shelter, clothing and medicines. One official told IRIN about concerns of diseases stemming from possible water pollution. The National Multisectoral Committee on Disaster Relief, Emergencies and Settlement met in emergency session on Wednesday to plan for contingencies, sources said. The bureau will be sending an assessment team throughout the country to confirm figures of people affected, homes and infrastructure destroyed and to table needs.