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August 13, 2006
ALERT - Flooding Makes Thousands Homeless In Gorom-Gorom
This page is being updated regularly.
Three people have died, and thousands made homeless following flooding around my "second home" of Gorom-Gorom.
What Happened
About 8 000 people in the region of Gorom-Gorom in northern Burkina Faso have lost their homes because of severe flooding. In Gorom itself, about 700 households were lost, affecting about half of the 12 000 population of the town. Roughly another 200 households in villages outside of Gorom were also destroyed. Many of the people affected are now sheltering in schools or with nearby family.
The disaster struck following a large rain, when 136cm (5.5")of rain fell (nearly half the normal year's rainfall) in 6 hours. A dam broke about 5 miles away, and a tide of water waist-high swept through the region. Several nearby villages were completely destroyed, as well as about half of the houses in Gorom-Gorom. Most houses are built of mud, and would have been simply washed away by the onslaught of water.
Only 3 people have died that we are aware of, fortunately. This is largely because the disaster happened during the day. If it had happened at night, when people were asleep in their houses, the losses would have been much higher.
The water largely flowed away from Gorom within the first two days, but the main road is still virtually impassable, and will remain difficult for the rest of the rainy season. Although health risks have been exacerbated, these are not extreme. It seems that fields and animals have not been badly impacted, but that many small businesses may have lost their stock.
Immediate needs
The immediate need is for food, mosquito nets, soap, buckets, clothing, medicines, mats, tents, and blankets. Mosquito nets are very important as the rains bring mosquitos, which carry malaria. Malaria kills nearly 1 million people in Africa each year.
An initial budget estimate for the immediate response to the crisis in Gorom-Gorom and area is about $170,000 (about £90,000) for everything for 700 households in Gorom-Gorom, and 200 in the surrounding area. This is for food, temporary shelter, and household provisions (blankets, medicines, mats, mosquito nets, clothes etc). We are looking for all the help we can get.
Food can be bought in Gorom-Gorom, and most of the rest of these items can be bought in the capital, Ouagadoudou. The tents or plastic sheets for shelter are the most difficult to get hold of, but are very necessary as the rains continue.
Getting help there is a problem: The only road to Gorom from the capital city remains very difficult throughout the rainy season, but supplies were initially being trucked as far as possible, and food hand carried through chest deep water to the other side, where it was picked up and brought to Gorom.
The village water wells appear to be safe. Sanitation and health risks have been exacerbated but do not appear to be extreme at this time, as the water disperses fairly quickly, and there are dry days often between the rains, allowing the ground to dry out.
Longer-term Needs
The main needs will start after the end of the rainy season, helping people re-build not only their homes, but also their livelihoods:
* Food Aid. If fields and crops will have been affected, food aid may be needed throughout the year. The rains started late this year, and the rains need to carry on until the end of Sep for a reasonable harvest.
* Housing. A simple mud-brick house costs about £100 ($200). However, this is not possible immediately, as it is virtually impossible to build mud-brick houses in the rainy season, which runs from July-Sep. There is also the question as to whether people should build in mud again. Certainly local people will not be able to afford to build for themselves, and even if they could, building in cement would be beyond their means.
* Livelihood. I suspect that people will have lost not only possessions and homes and fields, but possibly their businesses too, and there will be need to help people re-build their lives and communities.
Response
I am liaising with a small group composed of the local pastor (Daniel), an American volunteer worker (Andy), and a local nurse (Altine), who are looking at the best way to respond.
Our initial help has been in Food Aid Distribution, on the 25 August and 1 September, through the local church. We are also looking at finding mosquito nets, soap, tents etc for the next phase, and are trying to contact aid agencies who might be able to help. Members of my home church, Glenwood Church, have made a very generous contribution to the work, and Samartian's Purse and Food for the Hungry are also supporting us in our efforts.
A Gorom-Gorom Crisis Committee with village leaders has been organised, to identify priority needs and resources, gather data, get information to the country's government and to public and private aid organizations, and to request needed assistance.
The initial response of local authorities was impressive. The military and police apparently did a great job in bringing food aid in, but circumstances have made consistent distribution difficult. An initial distribution of 10 metric tons of grain, 100 mats, and 100 blankets was made by CONASUR, a government food security agency to those staying in shelters, but this was finished in one day.
We are co-ordinating with the Crisis Committee, but are unaware of any other response at present by local authorities. Christian Aid and the Red Cross are now also responding, and we are liasing with them.
How to Help APPEAL CLOSING
Update: 24 Oct 2006: The appeal for help for the flood relief effort is closing from 31 Oct 2006. If more help is needed for future developments, I will keep you informed.
If you are wish to support other the rest of our work in Gorom-Gorom, please send cheques made payable to World Horizons to:
USA
Burkina Faso Sahel Account
World Horizons
PO Box 17721,
Richmond,
VA 23226
USA
UK
Burkina Faso Sahel Account
World Horizons
North Dock
Llanelli
Carms SA15 2LF
UK
Thank you.
I will keep you updated as I get news. Please pray. Thank you.
Tags: burkina faso africa burkina photos gorom flood emergency aid crisis gorom-gorom
Posted by Keith at August 13, 2006 07:08 AM
Comments
Keith- I am so sorry to hear this news. Can't imagine the level of pain it must bring to your heart. Or theirs.
Praying. And will keep reading for updates.
Posted by: wilsonian at August 13, 2006 06:24 PM
Praying for the village and for help to get there, here in Syria. All the best, Fleur
Posted by: Fleur at August 13, 2006 06:43 PM
Keith,
You don't know me but I read about the flood through Andy and Laura's listserve. Karin and I were saddened to hear about the flood and made a small donation. We are inspired by your hard work and encouraged by organized relief efforts. Keep up the good work!
Domenico and Karin Carli
Posted by: Domenico & Karin Carli at August 19, 2006 04:05 PM
Thanks everyone!
Your prayers, gifts, and encouragements are all much appreciated.
Posted by: Keith at August 19, 2006 05:20 PM