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. |
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions