Update on northern disaster

Three weeks after a wide appeal for aid for flood victims in northern Senegal, the government said on Friday it had received tens of thousands of dollars worth in cash and kind from local and international sympathisers. The head of the national committee in charge of the relief effort, Boubacar Traore, told IRIN that Algeria had donated about 140 millions francs CFA (about US $190,000) in relief material and US $200,000 in cash; Japan material worth 90 million francs CFA ($ 121,625) and 100 million francs CFA ($135,139) in cash; and France logistical support, and 15 million francs CFA ($20,270) cash. Individuals and national organisations have also made donations. Libya and the European Union have announced unspecified contributions. Items received, so far, from the donors include shelter material, blankets, mosquito nets, food, livestock food, and seeds. However, Traore said more seeds, blankets, medical supplies for human and livestock, livestock food were still needed for the affected communities in two northern districts of Saint-Louis, and Louga. Between 9 and 11 January, heavy off-seasonal rains and a cold wave drove temperatures from 40 degrees Celsius to 16 Celsius in the towns of Podor, Dagana and Matam (Saint-Louis Region) and Kebemer, Linguere and Louga (Louga Region). The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 28 people died, another 179,000 were affected and some 470,000 heads of livestock were lost. The government appealed for aid on 17 January.