Red Cross gets some $39,024 for flood victims

The Central African Republic Red Cross now has 21 million francs CFA (approx US $39,024) to help flood victims following torrential rains early August in the capital, Bangui, the society's chairman said on Thursday. Briefing the media in Bangui Red Cross Chairman Antoine M'Bao Bogo said of this money, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Yaounde, Cameroon, had given 16.6 million francs ($30,845) and the French Red Cross 4,000 euro (approx $4,874). In addition, he said, the International Committee of the Red Cross had donated 500 blankets valued at 2.5 million francs (approx $4,645). On Tuesday, the CAR Red Cross announced it needed at least 350 million francs (approx $660,689) per month to care for some 9,000 flood victims. However, providing revised figures on Thursday, M’Bao Bogo put the number at 14,517. "Among the affected persons there are 3,494 women and 6,057 children," M’Bao Bogo said. CAR Red Cross Coordinator Alphonse Zarambaud said additional money would now be needed to cope with the increased numbers, and 35.7 million francs ($66,430) was each month to feed 1,000 people.

A flooded area in Bangui's Kolongo neighbourhood.

Residents in the affected areas remain at risk from epidemics. M'Bao Bogo said people were still drinking borehole water, which could be contaminated. Promises of jerry cans and water purification tablets has still not arrived late but the UNICEF information officer in Bangui, Lydie Nzengou, said on Thursday the agency had some 27,680 jerry cans and 41,460 water purification tablets ready for distribution. "We are waiting for the new figures [of those needing help] from the CAR Red Cross," she said. However, on 13 August the wife of CAR President Francois Bozizi, Monique, visited the affected areas and handed over food and non-food items worth 300,000 francs ($557). On Thursday, the Association of Handicapped Women contributed wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes and pick axes to the affected zones to unclog pipes in an effort to drain the rain waters. Also visiting the flood affected neigbourhood on Tuesday, US Ambassador James Panos said: "I am touched and impressed by what I see and it is obvious that inhabitants here are in need or urgent foreign assistance." He added: "I will account for what I see here to Washington and I hope I can come back with a positive response."