AFRICA : KENYA : THOUSANDS OF FLOOD VICTIMS IN NEED

Agenzia Fides REPORT - The heavy rains that are hitting on Kenya have swiped away a lot of bridges and blocked many roads, making it harder to rescue thousands of people left homeless due to the floods. According to the Kenya Red Cross (KRCS), since October at least a dozen have died and other 40,000 people have been victims of natural disasters. In past days, due to a landslide in Keiyo, in the Rift Valley, other people died and others in Nyanza, western Kenya and coastal region. In Garbatula, district of Isiolo, hundreds of farmers have lost crops. In other parts of the country there is the danger of epidemics because of contaminated water caused by the explosion of lavotories and wells, and other areas due to ruptured pipelines.
According to the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR), which controls the northern part of the country, floods have affected the whole county of Isiolo, by breaking the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro river. Garfarsa, Kombola, Sericho, Merti and Garbatula are some of the areas most seriously affected. The displaced and the people in greatest difficulties are in urgent need of food aid, mosquito nets, tents, blankets, kitchen utensils and medicines. A few days ago also the banks of the Nzoia River broke, evacuating thousands of people in the areas of Budalang'i, Bunyala and Funyula in western Kenya. Other thousands of victims were recorded in areas of Nyatike and Nyando, Nyanza and the Coastal Province where, in the month of October, flash floods caused serious damage to the population, destroyed schools and water purification systems. In November, the Global Disaster Alert together with Coordination System had launched a warning for floods in Kenya, after more than 300 families had been displaced and livestock swept away by floods in Wajir, northern Kenya. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 07/12/2011)

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