Abidjan (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the
Burkinabé Red Cross Society have launched an emergency aid operation for some 5,000 victims of flooding in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Starting this weekend, people
suffering the consequences of torrential rain will be receiving such emergency items as plastic sheeting, sleeping mats, clothing, jerrycans, blankets, soap and cooking utensils.
They will
also receive food.
The operation is being conducted in close cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
“While the ICRC mainly
helps the victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, we are more than happy to work with our partners in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to provide emergency aid to the
victims of natural disaster whenever we can,” commented Boris Michel, the ICRC’s head of operations for West Africa.
“The fact that the ICRC already has an office in
Ouagadougou facilitated the task, as did the stocks of emergency supplies that we hold jointly with the Burkinabé Red Cross Society.” The rains have caused serious damage and left a number
of people injured, especially on the outskirts of Ouagadougou, where houses made out of mud have collapsed.
Many homeless families have taken refuge in schools and other temporary
housing.
Through its Ouagadougou office, the ICRC is supporting the work of the Burkinabé Red Cross Society among those most in need.
For further information,
please contact:
Abdou Latif Mbacké, ICRC Abidjan, tel: +225 22 40 70 or +225 39 94 04
Moussa Ouattara, ICRC Ouagadougou, tel: +226 50 56 85 or +225 78 78 00 99
Marçal
Izard, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 2458 or +41 79 217 3224
or visit the website of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies:www.ifrc.org
A deserted main road that connects the city to Ataturk International Airport and other major neighbouring cities is seen while it is closed to traffic after flash floods damaged some parts ...
