About 350,000 affected by floods in Chad and Guinea

Floods caused by heavy rains have affected over 350,000 people in two West African nations, prompting their governments to call for international help.

In Chad, about 100 persons have been reported dead or missing following the floods, which have affected 129,500 Chadians, while in Guinea, where the affected population totals about 220,000, nine people were reported to have died, OCHA said in separate reports on Friday.

In both countries, the floods were brought on by heavy rains that caused rivers to burst their banks, according to OCHA (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).

Chad

According to the OCHA report on Chad, based on information provided by UNDP's office in the capital, N'djamena, some 10,500 houses have been destroyed. The worst affected areas are the departments of Tandjilé East and West, Bahr Koh, Dar Sila, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Chari-Baguirmi, Salamat, Batha East and West, Mayo Dalla, Mayo Bonoye and Kabia.

The floods have adversely affected the health situation in Chad, which has reported 4,350 cholera cases, including 148 deaths, since June. It has also worsened famine.

OCHA said the Chadian government officially requested international assistance - mainly food, blankets, tents, jute bags, and material for rebuilding and repairing houses - on 28 September 2001. The request was submitted to the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Chad.

Guinea

In Guinea, the worst affected areas are Kankan, Mandiana and Kouroussa, three prefectures in the eastern region of Kankan, according to the OCHA report for that country.

It said an assessment carried out on 20 to 30 September by OCHA and the Guinean National Service for Humanitarian Action indicated that 1,226 huts and 99 houses had been destroyed in the three prefectures, while 20,531 ha of farmland were destroyed. OCHA said many areas were still inaccessible except by boat.

The Faranah region, west of Kankan, was also affected.

Guinea's government, WFP and the international Red Cross have provided relief supplies for some of the flood victims.

Pending the results of the latest needs assessment mission, the government has requested food for 146,000 people as well as non-food items such as soap, mats, blankets, disinfecting kits and equipment. Medium-term needs include agricultural seeds and tools, as well as building materials.

[The reports, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, are available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int]