Red Cross distributes non-food items to Bangui flood victims

The Red Cross of the Central African Republic distributed on Sunday non-food items, high energy biscuits and medicines to some 461 families affected by floods in the capital 17 days ago, the society's coordinator, Alphonse Zarambaud, said. "Five thousand people received the items," he said on Sunday in Bangui, the capital. This round of distributions went to families with more than 10 members each in the southern neighbourhoods of Bangui. The items consisted of blankets, pots, soap and jerry cans. UN agencies provided lamps, the high energy biscuits and the medicines. "We are waiting to get more lamps for distribution," he said. At the moment, he added, the Red Cross only had 480 lamps, fewer than the number of people needing the devices. However, the Red Cross has distributed potable water. Faced with the possibility of a disease outbreak, due to overflowing latrines and possibly contaminated boreholes, the government has been advising the public to drink water only served by the national water plant. At least 4,000 jerry cans have been given out to the affected population.

Social Affairs Minister Marie Solange Pagonendji Ndakala, in orange blouse, visits flood affected community in Bangui, the CAR capital.

Social Affairs Minister Marie Solange Pagonendji Ndakala described Sunday's effort "a good start". She said China, France, Japan, Libya and the United States had already expressed their intention to give money for the flood victims. Echoing that, CAR Red Cross Chairman Antoine M’Bao Bogo said the Japanese embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon, had promised 52 million francs CFA (approx US $97,000) for non-food items. "The non-food items will arrive by air and will be available next Thursday," he added. He also said the Red Cross would inspect villages close to Bangui, from which there had been reports of damage to cassava and maize farms.