Ugandans cross a bridge connecting Lira, Pader and Kitgum after their vehicles stopped on either side of the river in the northern Uganda town of Lira September 16, 2007 Â…REUTER/James Akena (Uganda)

More than one and a half million people across Africa are facing hunger, hardship and homelessness as a result of catastrophic flooding that is sweeping across the continent, according to the Red Cross which is appealing for funds to deal with the latest crisis.

David Andrews, Chairman of the Irish Red Cross said the latest figures from the Red Cross highlights the neglect of suffering in Africa.

"Between 2004 and 2006, the number of floods operations in Africa jumped from just five in 2004 to 32 in 2006 and already, by mid September 2007, they stand at 42, according to our international figures," said David Andrews.

And he noted that smaller disasters (affecting less than 25,000 people) have jumped from four in 2004 to 28 already this year.

"Little attention is given to these Â'neglectedÂ' disasters, yet we must remember that people have had their homes and incomes wiped out and we must act quickly to help them restore their lives," Mr Andrews added.

And he noted that this phenomenon has been identified as consistent with Climate Change as reported by experts of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre in The Hague (Netherlands) who believe that the phenomenon will raise flood risks in some regions of Africa. Climate change will also increase the risk of drought in some areas, while others may experience both floods and droughts

Emergency funds have already been provided by the Irish Red Cross to help pay for disease prevention and health promotion efforts as the risk of disease is growing due to large quantities of dirty and contaminated water in areas where people and livestock are struggling to survive.

Appealing for Irish people to donate funds to the Red Cross, Mr Andrews said that the Irish Red Cross has already sent €25,000 to Uganda, one of the most severely affected countries and also €25,0000 to Ethiopia. They are just two of the 20 countries[1] where 200 people have died and 650,000 people have already lost their homes.

"We need support from people in Ireland to pay for urgently needed goods such as tents and clean water, as well as medical aid kits to help treat the injured and sick," stated Mr Andrews.

By providing water purification tablets and new wells to 10,000 households and the construction of 800 communal latrines within the camps for displaced persons, the Red Cross will be helping to reduce the incidence of diseases among at least 50,000 people.

Donations are urgently needed

• Please make an online donation
• or call 1850 50 70 70.
• Send Cheque and postal orders made payable to: Irish Red Cross Africa Floods Appeal, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.