Cologne/Bobo Dioulasso. Malteser International supports the help for the flood victims in Burkina Faso. "Since Wednesday, paramedics of the Burkinabe Association of the Order of Malta are rescuing sick and injured people from the flood areas and bringing them to health centres and hospitals. Furthermore, they have built four community tents to host the people who had to flee from the floods", Dr. Georg Nothelle, Head of the Africa Desk at Malteser International, says.

In Burkina Faso alone, more than 7,500 families are hit by the heavy rains and the following inundations, 33 people have died since the beginning of September. The floods not only have destroyed many houses, but also the largest part of this years' harvest.

In northern Uganda, the situation is also dramatic. "The fact that the harvest has been destroyed means that the people have completely lost their livelihood", Dr. Nothelle points out. "Currently, many victims of the floods can not be reached because a large number of streets and bridges have been destroyed. As soon as we get access to the people, we want to distribute foodstuff and medical drugs to avoid the outbreak of epidemics. Mosquito nets are also a big need to protect the people from the anopheles mosquito transmitting the disease."

Attention editorial offices! Dr. Georg Nothelle, head of the Africa Desk of Malteser International, will leave for Uganda and Kenya the 23 September 2007. He is available for interviews. Please call +49 221 98 22 155 or +49 160 90 61 28 66.