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September 25, 2009

Burkina Faso Floods

You probably heard on the news a few weeks back that we had major floods in Burkina Faso, while Lynne and I were out there. A few people - maybe remembering the floods we had in Gorom-Gorom in 20006 - contacted me asking if we were affected in Gorom-Gorom.

This time the floods were in the capital city, Ouagadougou, and we were not affected up north (apart from the fact that bottled water for our Soccer School visitors ran out as the residents of Ouaga had bought it all!). As our internet was down at the time, I was not able to find out much, but have since had a few emails from friends with news.

(Photo by SIM, see more photos here)

Ouaga received 30cm (12 inches) of rain in 10 hours - the equivalent of a whole year of rain for Gorom-Gorom. The resulting flooding causing the collapse of houses, the evacuation of the national hospital, and the loss of electricity to the capital for a day or two. Apparently 8 people have died, and over 150,000 people lost their homes. Most of these are being housed temporarily in churches and schools - temporary because the schools are due to restart in a week's time... Attempts are now starting - as the rainy season draws to a close - to get people moved out of the schools to temporary tented camps.

The government appears to have taken swift action in helping those affected, and aid is now pouring in from the World Food Programme, the UN, Red Cross etc. As we were leaving Burkina, a transporter plane of aid was being unloaded, with accompanying TV crew. Alan Dixon of SIM reports: "Efforts are being made to improve sanitary conditions and bring medical treatment. In one centre we visited last week, nurses were making regular visits to treat malaria and diarrhea. In another center portable latrines were being built that would later be moved to other locations. Local governments now have 88 official sites with about 115,000 people currently receiving food, lodging, basic necessities and some medial care."

On the ground among local communities, many churches and missions are also getting involved in helping their neighbours, and you can contact SIM (you can make a secure online donation here - in the box titled 'Missionary or Project Name', please type BF General 93918 Ouagadougou Flood Relief) or Tear Fund if you want to send support.

Please pray for those affected, and for the churches to be agents of God's help in the situation. Thank you.

Posted by Keith at September 25, 2009 08:05 AM