U.N., Red Cross seek aid for Somalia, Kenya floods
Source: Reuters
(updates with Red Cross, appeal for Kenya) GENEVA, Dec 6 (Reuters) - The United Nations and the Red Cross on Wednesday issued appeals totalling some $40 million to help hundreds of thousands of people in Kenya and Somalia where floods have submerged villages and farmlands and cut off roads. In Somalia, for which the U.N. is seeking $18 million, the worst floods in decades have added to the woes of one of Africa's poorest countries, where there is no effective central government, basic services or infrastructure. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said another $21.9 million was urgently needed to assist some 563,000 people in Kenya over the next four months, especially in hard-hit northeastern and coastal regions. "The health situation is particularly alarming. There is a high risk of water-borne disease such as cholera," the Geneva-based Federation said, adding that malaria infections were also on the rise. At least 150 people have been killed and more than 1 million uprooted by the worst floods for years across Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Forecasts suggest the rains could continue in December and spread into other countries in central and southern Africa, the Federation, the world's largest relief agency, said in a statement. "We are increasingly worried about more floods affecting more countries over the next few days and weeks," said Peter Rees, head of the Federation's operations support department. The appeal for Kenya would cover water purification tablets, emergency water supplies, latrines, and the distribution of seeds and farm equipment. Some 350,000 people in Somalia, mostly in southern and central areas of the country, have been seriously affected by the floods which followed a devastating drought last year, the U.N. said. It estimated up to 900,000 might become affected in coming weeks if persistent rains continue. The U.N. appeal is meant to help provide water and sanitation, food, education, health care and other assistance in the country. Another $10 million has already been funded through the U.N.'s Complex Emergency Response Fund. "The humanitarian crisis of the Somali people, exhausted by years of conflict and disaster, is now deepening," Eric Laroche, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator for Somalia said in a statement. U.N. officials have previously said insecurity in Somalia, where an interim government is pitted against rival Islamists in a conflict some fear will escalate to all-out war, threatened to hamper efforts to help those uprooted by the floods.
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